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Dips
Administrator
    
 2553 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2008 : 10:37:29 PM
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We ran, we conquered and we came 33rd and of 39 ...not bad seeing as I plunged us into 39th place at one point! I've just got home so about to dive in a bath full of bubbles and have a soak. 
But just to say an absolute massive thank you and well done to David aka HW and his OH.  They even supplied us with goodie bags Big thank you to HW's mate Andy who stepped in at the last minute to run a leg when we suddenly found ourselves a man short...and to HW for sticking in another effort himself.
Great to meet everyone...full report tomorrow, but for now its bath time 
Finchy...I hope the car and OH are ok?
Dips x
Running is real and relatively simple…but it ain't easy. --Mark Will-Weber
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lincsfella
Advanced Member
    

626 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 07:11:59 AM
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Well done everyone, cant wait for the reports but a great effort. 

"Always aim for the moon...... because if you miss, you'll still land amongst the stars" |
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krissienewton
Advanced Member
    

694 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 08:05:57 AM
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Well done guys and girls, you did the netrunners proud. Look forward to hearing more about it.
Krissie
Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damned race - Ron Hill |
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fishyweb
Advanced Member
    

1669 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 08:44:09 AM
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Here's my view on the event from my own perspective - and needless to say, there will be several other perspectives as well!
Got to the appointed parking area at the end of my stage at Wendover, and met up with HW and his OH. Quickly did my last minute preps, and then hopped into HW's car for the trip up to Ivinghoe. HW - sorry if the Deep Heat fumes I brought into your car were overpowering at all! Arrived at Ivinghoe in good time, registered with the marshall and collected number, and the three of us made our way up to the start area at the top of the hill. Absolutely beautiful weather conditions - blue sky, sunshine, and stunning views all around, including of the hills I was about to encounter! HW took a few photos, and he relieved me of my jacket. Looking around at the other runners, they all looked pretty experienced, and I knew that I would not be making any great inroads through the field once we started.
We were off bang on 7:30, and HW+OH cheered me on my way. I had taken a position near the back of the starting group, which was just as well as the trails near the start were fairly narrow - I would definitely have been a major bottleneck otherwise! The first section was on a steep downhill (no surprise as we started at the top of the hill!), and the next couple of miles were along some pretty narrow trails which could very fairly be described as undulating, if not hilly! Extremely scenic though, with far-reaching views across teh Vale of Aylesbury. After about 2 miles, I had a few runners in sight ahead of me, and I think there were 1 or 2 behind. At this point, my Garmin and a conspicuous sign said the Ridgeway took a sharp right turn from the path we were on. I hesitated as the runners in front had gone straight on, but took the decision to trust technology and the sign and made the turn. One of the runners in front (from Reading Roadrunners) must have realised what was happening as he doubled back, and those behind followed us round. I've no idea how may others missed the turn, and whether there was a short cut by going straight on (the map does not seem to show one).
Anyway, after another mile or so we emerged onto some roads and shortly afterwards to Tring Station. HW+OH were there to cheer me on here, which was heartening as things were a little lonely - the RR runner had overtaken me again, as had a Thame Runner who had been behind, but they were both still in view. I think there were still 1 or 2 behind me, some way back.
The next couple of miles were mostly uphill though, to be honest, the climbs were not quite as bad as I had anticipated. The route here was a mixture of woodland, farmland (including a field of cows, Dips!), and quiet lanes. I still had glimpses of the RR and Thames guys from time to time and, eventually, another runner in a yellow vest. He was soon overtaken by RR and Thame, and I made it my mission to catch him in the last couple of miles, which were maiinly flat or downhill. Caught him up in the end, and it turns out he was from the organising Marlborough Runners club. I had quite a natter with him, and we both managed to pick up our pace quite well on waht turned out to be the last long downhill to the finish of the stage. We both managed a sprint, and I think I just edged him . I could see that HW was kitted up for the handover, which implied that Richard had gone AWOL. Tagged HW, and he was off at a brisk pace for Stage 2. I don't know exactly what position I finished in until the results are posted, but I believe there may have been 1 or 2 behind, as well as Mr Marlborough.
Dips, LB, and Mich sought me out at the end, and reaquainted me with my jacket and also unexpectedly handed me a bag which I did not really investigate at that point.
I headed off to meet Mark at P/Risb Station (that was one heroic journey you made for this run, Mark!), and we then headed back to the start of stage 3 to see the handover from HW to Dips and Mich. HW came in looking very strong, and said that he had managed to make up a few places on the way - nice running, mate!
I then headed to the start of Stage 5 with Mark, stopping at one point to cheer Dips and Mich on their way. The Stage 5 marshall and quite a few runners were already assembled at Swyncombe when we got there, so Mark sorted his kit and stowed his baggage in my car. I then left him to enjoy the sunshine and headed back to stage 4 where I attached the wheels to my bike ready to accompany Dips on stage 4.
Met up with HW, OH, and LB, and left Mark's kit with HW. It was then not too much later that Dips and Mich came into view at the end of 3, ready for Dips to carry straight on to 4, pausing only to refill her water bottles. We passed the first few miles of stage 4 with some chat and banter, and Dips sensibly declined my offer of having a spell in the saddle! We were passed by one runner, whom I think might have been from Marlborough judging by her yellow vest, but we made steady progress nonetheless. From HW's mid-week reportm I knew I could not cycle the last mile or so of the stage, and Dips and I spotted a Hi-viz-clad figure at the point where I would have to leave her. It turned out to be Mark, who had gallantly back-tracked to chaperone Sips up the last hill on her mamoth 2-leg run.
That was the end of the event for me, so I headed back to my car at the start of stage 4, and then headed home. It was only after I got back that I rediscovered the bag that Dips had handed me at the end of my stage - it turned out to be a goody bag put together by HW, containing some snacks and sweets, water, and a personalied UKNR-Ridgeway Relay coaster - HW, that was such a great surprise! Cheers, mate!
So my summary - this was a fantastic event, made all the better by the incredible amount of thought, effort, and planning by HW. It was an opportunity to meet a couple more members, which is ALWAYS a good thing, and reinforces how great our club is. I hope we enter a team for this event again next year, and I hope I'll be able to particiapte to the end next time as well!
Sorry for droning on, and for all the typos (I haven't got time to prrof-read right now!
--- Steve |
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Heavyweight
Senior Member
   

437 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 08:54:49 AM
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Lacking the literary skills to string together a cohesive narrative of the day and having just had a crash course in project management, in true business stlyee my thoughts are listed as a lessons learnt report (although if it’s anything like my company then lessons won’t be learnt – they will be remembered just too late –i.e. ‘that went wrong last time as well’ etc)
1. Ivinghoe Beacon (especially at 7:15am) is a lovely place to be (as long as a 11mile run is not imminent) 2. Even if there is only one stinging nettle within a 100yards – you will get stung by it (Fishyweb) 3. Answering the phone whilst starting a stage is not a great idea. 4. I never knew Chequers was ‘there’ 5. It is the worst kind of agony having to run past a welcoming pub 6. Following the runner ahead whilst ignoring all common sense & a previously researched route is not a good idea (both me & Andy ) 7. Don’t be surprised when the man from the MoD leaves important documents in your car (well ok, only his route map) 8. Don’t stand in the way of the Brighton posse and a well earned lunchtime drink. 9. Dips can out-stare a bull 10. A map is only useful if you don’t lose it in the first mile (Mij0) 11. Doing 2 stages (especially consecutive) is not that much fun. 12. Its very handy to have more drivers than cars 13. Vslow can drive my car better than me (apparently) 14. The distance between an adrenaline fuelled start being overcome by the reality of a long hard slog (after a long day) is about 94.5 yards. 15. Maybe Vegans can run fast – but mostly they look like sh!t 16. It is quite emotional watching someone give their absolute all for the team (or maybe I’m just soft) 17. It is best to research the route to drive between stages beforehand. 18. I will feel a lot more comfortable mickey-taking in your diaries now I’ve met you. 19. Its an absolute pleasure to organise when everyone is co-operative & helpful as the UKNetrunners.
Also as most of us missed the prize giving at the end – I thought I would summarise and present our own UKnetrunner awards.
The winners this year were VOAAC (Vale of Aylesbury) who completed in a record 9:30 (we completed in 14:30) (approximate times from memory). Reading Road runners vets had an average age of 65+ and completed in 13:xx (so there are many more years of running for all of us!).
The organiser witnessed a runner completing his stage and having no-one to handover to 6 times during the day (did not happen to us). One of these runners then decided to do the following (unresearched) stage himself, got hopelessly lost and completed the next stage in 3+ hours. Another runner got lost and approached the checkpoint from the wrong direction, and one runner who was on stage 1 got lost within the first mile – I think I detected some sadistic pleasure from the organiser in these tales of woe. I would like to mention the fact that there were 2 car accidents following the race (but wont as I realise this may be a sensitive subject with Finchy)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles Award : Mark Willcocks
Award for stoicism in the face of aggressive vegetation : Mark Willcocks
Most techno-savvy runners (for Garmin routing trickery) : Fishyweb, Vslow T
Award for getting to the start line with the most number of injuries : Mij0
Award for finishing stage with even more injuries :Mijo
Heroism (Sheroism? Heroinism?)award for mileage run : Dips
Award for quietly efficient runner (and taxi driver & cycling buddy) : FishyWeb
Falling down award (Sponsored by Mr Bump) : Dips, Mark Willcocks
Award for most reckless driving of someone else’s car : Lazybones
Award for looking glam & cool while running : Dips & Mich
Award for nicest legs (voted for by OH) : Finchy
Cutest kids award : Vslow major & Vslow minor
Most impressive sprint finish award: Vslow
Most ironic forum name award : Lazybones, Vslow
Last minute stand-in award : Mich & Andy
Most dispiriting signpost award : Barbury Castle 3 miles (when you know its all uphill)
Long suffering award : OH
Most impressive gurning during sprint finish (again voted by OH) : Heavyweight
Thanks to all (and all OH’s) hope you have not used up too many brownie points.
Great report Fishy - a bit of a cross post. |
Edited by - Heavyweight on 16 Jun 2008 09:01:40 AM |
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Finchy
Senior Member
   

240 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 09:01:35 AM
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This turned out to be a day of mixed emotions for me..... The day started with an early alarm call from my 3 year old daughter who presented my with bacon butties in bed, and some lovely wallpaper wrapped smellies. Apparently every self respecting 3 year old is wrapping their presents in wallpaper these days!!  After gathering my stuff together I set out in the direction of The Ridgeway. By now I was receiving regular updates concerning the progress of the fellow clubbies running the earlier stages of the relay, but as I wasn't on until leg 8 of 10 I knew I was in plenty of time. In fact given the remote location of some of the leg starts and finishes I had allowed enough time to scout out the locations in the car beforehand so that when it came to my turn to ferry people between stages I knew exactly where I was going. In amongst all of this my wife had called me to say that her grandfather had been taken into hospital, having been ill for a few days now, and that she was on her way to see him. I met Mijo at the end of his stage (beginning of mine) as arranged, and ferried him back to the start of his stage. A mass start was arranged for 2pm at the beginning of stage 7 (Mijo's stage) for all those teams whose runners had not reached that point by that time. In fact I think that only three teams from 39 avoided the mass start. With Mijo on his way I headed back to the start of my leg to await his arrival. As soon as I arrived at the start of my leg my wife called again, in floods of tears, to say that she had been to the hospital (Grandad was ok..ish), but that she'd rear ended a 4x4 on the way home and had completely caved in the front of the car. Thankfully, and most importantly, wife and daughter were fine, very shocked, but ok. However, the car, which is only 5 weeks old with 175 miles on the clock, is undriveable. Initially my wife was insistent that I head home straight away, but after a while on the phone I managed to calm her down and agreed that I would head off once I'd finished my stage. (There's no I in team!! ) Dips, LB, and Mich arrived on time at the start of my leg. LB was due to be driving my car to the end of my leg. I have to admit that after my wifes news I was a little aprehensive about turning over my car keys, however I needn't have worried, the car arrived safely and undamaged at the designated coordinates!! My leg was (thankfully) largely uneventfull, it was a very scenic, and very undulating route with an absolute killer of a hill about a mile long just before the finsh. Navigationally it was a doddle though. I had turned my ankle in a training run on Friday and as a result, on the uneven ground, my right achilles gave me a bit of trouble, and is as stiff as a board this morning. At least that's a good excuse for a couple of rest days! My leg was just shy of 8 miles, it took around 1hr 8mins to run. I was a touch disappointed with the time (on roads this would take about 1hr ish normally), but I guess this can be be attributed to the terrain. On a different day and given different circumstances I would really have enjoyed the run, and to an extent I still did, but I just couldn't get the days events out of my head. So, all I saw of HW yesterday was his rapidly departing behind as I handed over to him for the start of his leg! Following the end of my leg, and after a life saving cup of tea and biscuits supplied by Dips I headed off home (dropping Mark off at Bristol Temple Meads on the way). Yesterday was a fantastic team effort from everyone, logisitically this race was a nightmare, but everyone pulled together, mishaps were ironed out along the way, and we made it to the finish line in one piece. And the result? Well that just gives us something to improve on next year!! Special thanks though have to go HW's mate Andy for stepping in at the last minute, and particularly to HW and his OH for all the time, planning, and effort they have put in to organising this event for the team, and making it what it was. I was particularly impressed by the goodie bags, great work with the coasters!! Thanks Heavyweight.  |
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Finchy
Senior Member
   

240 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 09:16:32 AM
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Oh shucks, thanks for the legs award! Although how anyone can find my milk bottles attractive I'll never know! |
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Ian B
Advanced Member
    

677 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 09:20:24 AM
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Big Well Done to everyone concerned. It could have been a logistical nightmare but sounds like only a few teething problems. Great organsiation HW, Tremendous Result for the club!
Ian B |
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Heavyweight
Senior Member
   

437 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 09:21:44 AM
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| Sorry about all your troubles yesterday Finchy - I hadn't realised the exent of them. I thought I noticed a bit of reluctance when I made the suggestion about the car ;-) |
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domstevens
Senior Member
   

274 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 09:23:50 AM
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Well done everyone, sounded like an amazing day. Would rather have been doing the run with you guys than working at the NEC :-(
Our Greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall - Confucius |
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Heavyweight
Senior Member
   

437 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 09:26:42 AM
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I'd like to point that LBs award for car driving was due to her treatment of Dips' car and NOT Finchy's (just in case you were worried Finchy )
I forgot an award
UKnetrunner Wet T-shirt winner : Dips (After I had (accidently) squirted her with water) |
Edited by - Heavyweight on 16 Jun 2008 09:32:04 AM |
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StephenPrice
Advanced Member
    

890 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 09:45:56 AM
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Great reading this and am now REALLY looking forward to the RNR in September.
Well done everyone involved yesterday, it's great to know the club can organise themselves for this type of event. |
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Wicked D
Advanced Member
    

1335 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 11:15:33 AM
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well done everyone sounds like a great day, very proud of you all 
"If you're going through hell, KEEP GOING"....W Churchill |
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MarkWillcocks
Advanced Member
    

530 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 11:45:07 AM
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ME..ME..ME....MY TURN...
Despite having swollen and cut legs, swollen eyes, ripped trainers and extremly dirty vest, what a day  
Early start for 00.15 from Plymouth, planned 0645 tube journey which London Underground decided to mess up by cancelling half the network!!! 0800 train to Princes Risborough.
Arrived and joined the texing and telephone activity...after contacting HW OH, Steve came and picked me up, thanks Steve and nice to meet you, off to the circus then, met up with the lovely ladies Dips, LB and Mich, (and they are lovely too, lifesavers they had the tea, which was oh so needed later in the day) at the end of stage 2, and waited for HW with Steve, the ladies and HW OH, and she is a lovely lady too (putting up with HW)
A strong finish from him and handover to Dips and Mich and off they shot, a quick hello to HW and off me and Steve went to my my stage, breifly waving to Dips/mich on the way.
My stage was on the crest of a hill and being forewarned about the navigational mare Steve recommended a recce, we made our goodbyes and he shot off to do his bike ride. I walked the first mile of my leg and found the turn that could and prob was missed!!! So i returned to the start and collected my number and spoke to the marshall (after the first runner appeared, a good twenty mins before the next!!! hardcore!!! ) and informed him i was buddying in our runner, a quick lecture on keeping covered up so as not to mess up the timimg, (which as HW said some teams did!!! snigger ) and toddled to meet Dips, oh what a hill!!! knowing she had run the best part of a Half Mara and finishing with that i felt for her. A little wait and in the distance a little white vest appeared, and a cyclist, here they come, butterflies now as i didnt want to let anyone down, another "see ya next time" with Steve, and off we set for the hill, a diificult little bit on a narrow path, (as HW as awarded me and Dips an award i,ll leave this bit to her) and back to the handover, slipped off my jacket and off i set, map and bottle in hand.
A gentle decline past the church, made the hidden turn and hit a wooded climb, past the baa lambs, dodging golf balls, running throgh waist high rapeseed grass, doing a Ray Mears sweep of the ground for them pesky adders or man eating feild mice, couldnt really see the ground though as it was quite thick and strong grass hence my cuts and grazes, over stiles and gates, waving to HW and OH and on to the beauties of Grims Ditch. Good job i wasnt chasing too close to anyone as there is no where to overtake in there and it takes no prisoners, blinking warm, fallen trees, stumpps and roots, Brilliant Garmin wasnt having any of it in there!!! Quick cross of a road and onto a cart path, no room for one though, narrow and overgrown, and after making it through Grims i decided on taking up free fall diving and fell head first into a bush of nettles and those sticky little plants!!!  Another road crossing, got slightly lost!!! but after a quick call to HW i found my way again and saw him in the distance after another path excursion, a long stretch of path, large puddle HW on his bike until we reached a stile and he popped to the end to await me, another stretch of long grass, in to South Stoke, HW and OH waiting me with a wave and encouragement, last dig, no legs!!! ...checked in, quick water stop and off again. (right beside a pub!!!) Good old Andy, HW friend and great sub, big thanks from me Andy, had cracked in a good leg, and we set off to meet the rest of the team. So got to meet Mike, Finchy and Matt also, really nice to put faces and people to the forum posters, really felt like a team, before we had to shoot off due to John,s domestic problem,(hope all is well John)got to Temple meads, and had a cuppa, something to eat etc and waited for the train, delays, eh whars new but mine came in on time,omy OH was waiting for me, said i looked like poo!!! got home around 2350, 24 houre after closing the door!!! It was a great day, big thanks again to HW and his OH, to Andy and Mich for stepping in, and everyone else for being part of my first UKNETRUNNER event, and lets do it again next year! |
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Dips
Administrator
    

2553 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 1:08:28 PM
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Good morning (opps its afternoon now!, it was morning when I started this) everyone, I'm sat at my desk trying to look efficient when knackered! 
After sniggering my way through the other reports I'm not sure I can match the humour.
Anyway, our day began at a gloriously sunny and respectable 7am, the car was loaded with tea, coffee, biscuits and enough water to float the Ridgeway. Quick dash up the Motorways and by ways arriving at Prince Rizla at appointed 8.30am. No Richard, so we stuffed HW into my car and tried to reassure him that I would get him to his start in one piece...sharp intake of breath came from him as we took a bend a bit tight! But we made it with time to spare for a quick composure and a handing over of camera..which we didn't think to use!
Before long Fishy came bounding into sight, so once we had him settled and off to his car...it was back to PR for the start of my leg 3. Michele and I stood on the start line eyeing up the competition..they all looked a bit keen, lots of panting from the finishers. All to soon for my liking HW appeared out of the woods and it was time for the epic journey into the unknown. Still convincing Mich we would have a lovely run we headed off down hill a little cautiously as it was steep and was playing havoc with my creaky old hips. We managed to get overtaken by 3 runners within the first 1/2 mile...not good. 
We carried on...hoping we were on the right route, not a runner in sight but some very nice countryside to look at. A few appearances by LB, HW, OH, Fishy and Mark at cheering points gave us a boost and confirmed we were going in the right direction.
I felt reassured by the map I was clutching in my sweaty hand even though both Mich and I admitted we didn't really understand these map thingies and I didn't have my glasses anyway. At least if we got lost there were two of us and a screwed up map! As it turned out, apart from a small section after Lodge Hill, most of the route was marked by the give away Ridgeway sign posting.
The climb up Lodge Hill was a bit of a killer and not wanting to expend too much energy at this early point we walked up and took a moment to take in the view...sorry guys..bit of time lost there but only a brief glimpse. Once down the other side and through some fields we turned into the BULL field and a bliddy big field it was too. Michele rather calmly said it was an 'extremely large field for him to be hiding in' and that if we kept quiet he might not spot us! We then spotted the herd over at the end of the field but didn't need to worry he was too busy trying to mount another silly cow.  Once out of Bullies field we then picked up a flat straight section that seemed to go on for a long time. Having chatted about Mich's love life and other important matters we were beginning to flag and winge. However, she did keep assuring me that the next leg was only a little one and that I would be fine. 
Another appearance by HW and OH lifted my spirits a bit even though he told me off for stopping briefly...very briefly! Finally we spotted the change over point and having been overtaken by a couple of more runners a bit earlier I was relieved to see there was at least another team waiting at the change over. Refilled my bottles, exchanged obscenities with LB and trotted off with Fishy riding shot gun. I had been a little anxious about trying to keep up with a bike but I need not have worried. Fishy was fantastic company and extremely considerate. We had a good old natter even touching on politics and then my lack of running technology savvie. Sadly the runner from the other team came sailing past me but informed me that there was one further team behind me. Fishy raised my spirits a bit when he announced I had done 3 miles of this second leg....over in a flash. As we approached the last section my last escort jumped out of the bushes. I bid a fond farewell to Fishy and settled in behind Mark for the last bit UPHILL! I soon tired of this bit and decided that I would attempt to rugby tackle Mark from behind...lungeing forward I missed and barely tickled his ankles, but very ungainly landed in a heap on the ground. Ouch it hurt, trying to be brave and heave myself up aided by Mark..I was thinking if I had been on my own I would have sat there and cried. It was now a bit sore to run and I didn't feel too good, I think I asked Mark about a dozen times if we were nearly there. To add further insult to injury the runner from the final team came thundering past me, I was gutted to see her and so disappointed to have plunged us into last place.  Just hope the boys come good later and pull back some of the places, but I was aware I had left Mark at the rear with a very tough stage ahead. Finally I spotted the change over...at the top of a flipping great hill, encouraged by Mark I dug in and clambered upwards, I had to take a little walk break and then mustered a slow plod to the top. Showing LB my war wounds we departed to the sanctuary of my car (checked it was still in one piece after LB the one armed bandit had thrown it around) Two cups of tea, cheesy biccies, jelly babies and a quick make over including lip plumping gloss courtesy of Mich I was ready to face the world again. Not soon enough it seems, judging by a text from HW saying LB and me had gone AWOL. 
We screeched into the start of leg 6 by the Furking Perch..or whatever it was called. Got our instructions from HW and a scowl at me for not making a note of everyone Mob numbers. Feeling rebellious we decamped to the Perch for a swift half and watched a bit of the changeover. Bribed by HW the RO had let our hero of the day Andy set off early and knowing that Mike would go off at 2pm in the mass start we set off for the changeover for 7/8 and found Finchy and his sexy legs lounging over an even sexier looking car! LB managed to persuade him to hand over the keys and whacked me with her plaster (in case I had any ideas about driving it!) Very soon Mike came through the finish looking a little pained. We quickly assessed he didn't really want 3 cackling females faffing round him and left him to re-hydrate and get some clothes on while we went off to the next change over....me in pursuit of LB's dust!
Found the next change over, found a temporary loo then climbed a big hill to find Matt aka VSlow had joined us after spending some quality fathers day fun with his family. It was also here that I discovered OH comes from Holland..not Argentina as her t-shirt lead me to believe!  No wonder she looked at me blankly when I mentioned the hand of god! (only joking) Spent some time assessing the aged Vegan/Vegetarian team member and how grey straggly hair tied back with fluorescent hair bands was not the way ahead for a man of many years.
Over the hill came Finchy and off went HW on his second leg of the day. We started a walk back down the hill trying to convince Finchy this would do his legs good. Once back at base we feasted on tea and biscuits before going off to the last change over. Once there it became apparent that Finchy was worried about his 'other' car and of course his wife so we bid a fond farewell to him and Mark before limbering VS up for the final leg and the mass start. I was hoping by now that we had at least pulled a couple of places back from the despair of last place.
VS set sail, garmin loaded and fire in his legs he sprinted off down hill. Once HW came in and recovered enough to drive we were off for the finish and time to witness a truly epic sprint finish from VS...although as I told him if a man can sprint that fast at the finish he obviously didn't work hard enough over the rest of the leg!!! He thanked me kindly for my coaching tip and collapsed at my feet.  
Job done, thankfully we had managed to climb the scale a bit and the team got off the bottom. 
It's fantastic to have the opportunity to get together as a club especially as we are spread so far a field. I'm looking forward to the RNR now and promise not to be so needy. However, I am really grateful for the support, I would have been very anxious running on my own and no doubt blubbing at least once or twice. Big thanks to LB...who needs a sat nav with her around.
Dips x
Running is real and relatively simple…but it ain't easy. --Mark Will-Weber |
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fishyweb
Advanced Member
    

1669 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2008 : 1:31:06 PM
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Don't worry, Dips, I had a snigger or 2 reading your report. Sorry I missed the wet T shirt though!
--- Steve |
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