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Wicked D
2207 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Oct 2009 : 8:27:59 PM
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This is a Long Report so, apols for that, but it tokk me a while to run this event  
Met up with Nick before the start at Lincoln Castle and whilst we where chatting away I started notice quite a few runners who take part in the Sea Bank Mara & also quite a few runners that had travelled from far a field, this event is only in its 2nd year as a running event, last year there was 128 runners this year 400+ tells a story in it self
1000am and we’re off, I start near the rear of the pack and with hindsight this probably wasn’t a good idea, as getting out of the Castle was tight and slow and down steep hill & danesgate, almost vertical downwards in places and had to be aware of street furniture such as barriers, bins etc, loads of runners in front so care was needed, once over the footbridge crossing the dual carriage way we head off down waterside south next to the river Witham towards Washingborough
My pace is or has been a little quick but I’m feeling comfy so just stick with it and pass a few runners, during this section the route goes between houses, over a railway track , along and over a stream then on to a path that leads into Branston & just before the main road I see fellow clubby Jack Thomas with his camera, so big smile and thumbs up (cheers Jack great to see a friendly face), over the road past a pub (me not too thirsty so keeps going) turn left up a hill (wish I’d stopped for a cider now lol)
Head down a path and very nearly go wrong way as the next path I nearly missed is between houses down a tight path, eventually head over grassland, then down a track next to woods, over a stile into field then a track, another field and through a farm yard (I’m beginning to think this is going to be as tough as the sea bank Mara)
I’m still feeling comfy and I’m sticking to my plan although I’m very aware I have to keep my eyes peeled for the direction signs now as runners are spread out, there’s more bridleways & trails then on to paths next to the road and into Metheringham and again I spot Jack T with camera although my photo is one of surprise lol, it was again nice to see a familiar face on the route
From here it’s towards Blankney which takes in gates, cricket field then onto the road
At Scopwick, its down a bridlegate over a field then another field (ploughed but firm) if there’d been some rain this would’ve been VERY hard, I was hoping this would be the last of the fields, it WAS’NT
Towards Digby I encounter more rough ground following hedges, paths, tracks and ANOTHER large field, then another track before ending up back on the road, no signs of which way to go put I spot 2 runners reading instructions a little lost so we opt to follow the road which ends up being right as there’s a drinks station near a pub
Between Dorrington & Ruskington 21+ miles, I’m now running this Mara on memory as regards my legs which are starting to feel sore & I realised I was lacking in LSR’s (something I’ll put right next year), the terrain differs in many ways with stiles, footbridge over rail way (middle of nowhere) and quite steep up and down, stiles, gates & some more open fields and arable land and in this area I come across a field full and I mean FULL of chickens, there where hundreds of them so much so it looked like a feather carpet, the only way through was to run through them and some of them where NOT happy and didn’t move, it was the weirdest feeling running through them all
Ruskington to Sleaford, I’m having to dig in very deep as my legs are starting to feel like they no longer want to play, get to the final check point before the finish on the edge of some woods and I mention to marshal I’m glad its nearly over, the reply was “I find this section the hardest” I didn’t really need to hear that but I crack on and try to ignore the pain in my thighs now, I hadn’t seen any runners for some time so when I crossed a little bridge and saw about 10 runners to the right and a head looking lost, I thought they’d gone wrong so retraced my steps to bridge and noticed the correct track on a sharp left and set off down it and but for some discarded water bottles would’ve been worried I’d gone the wrong way
I eventually end up on a bank out into the open and REALLY do question I’ve gone the right way until I see a direction sign so I set off and dig in as my legs really have had enough, after about a mile or so I look back and there’s about 20+ runners in the distance following me (I was so pleased I went the right way)
I get to the main road which I go under via a bridge and head towards Sleaford along a river bank AGAIN; eventually I go under a small bridge and end up on a path along the river towards a bridge which I go over to the finish in a time of 4hrs 7mins
This event has CHALLENGE in its title and it REALLY is, as it has MANY obstacles along the way & the terrain differs OFTEN, I’ll run in this event again next year as I feel I let myself down this year and can do better
Anyone wanted to test themselves over 26miles, this event will do that no problem
"If you're going through hell, KEEP GOING"....W Churchill
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claire1
487 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2009 : 8:32:56 PM
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Blimey you've done a lot of racing recently!
Well done it certainly does sound like a challenge! I wouldn't be happy without signs.... why where there so few?
Anyway a great time over that course...e will you enjoy a rest now?! |
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Heavyweight
1450 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2009 : 8:39:14 PM
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That certainly wasn't a poultry effort .
Sounds a very tough challenge and a great finishing time considering the navigation & terrain, can't believe you're disapointed. I hope you enjoyed it. |
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lincsfella
1208 Posts |
Posted - 21 Oct 2009 : 10:35:08 PM
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How can you have let yer self down mate........ read your own report! Well done buddy, very impressive stuff. Recognise the place names etc of course with me being a Lincs lad but you gave me a good image in me head. Running down from the castle down Steep Hill is bad enough, if that had been wet youd have known about it.
Bit concerned bout you n animals tho...... chickens this time, cows last year!!??
Seriously, superb stuff, awesome.
"Always aim for the moon...... because if you miss, you'll still land amongst the stars" |
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joopsy
622 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2009 : 05:54:43 AM
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Great report Shaun and you certainly did it justice. i would have thought with that time that you would have been placed well up the field.
I entered this on a bit of a whim after pulling out of Abingdon. I had done virtually zero training for 3 weeks prior to the event and my longest run in the previous 3 months had been 11 miles, hardly great prep for a trail marathon!!
That said I loved it, brilliant course and whilst the directions were lacking at some points it actually added to teh challenge for me. 3 times I went wrong, twice I was called back and the other time I worked it out for myself.
After a fair bit of walking in the last 10k I eventually came in in 5:20:45 but as I am moving to Lincoln next week I have a feeling that I will become very intimate with this course. It really was a great way to test out the new surroundings for me and a mention is also required for the walkers. Many of them gave encouragement as you went past and they all made way for you in the tight spots where overtaking was difficult.
I think that chickens were clearly used to people going through teh field as I found myself running aorund them because they wouldn't budge. When I went through the field there was a man walking through with a great big dog and they weren't even fazed by that!
Brilliant event and a lovely way to start my 12 marathons (or further!) in 12 months challenge.
Next stop Newcastle in November.
In't running brilliant. |
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MarkWillcocks
1275 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2009 : 07:52:02 AM
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well done guys......next year most of them crazy chicks will have been someones lunch!!!!!
He who dares Rodney, he who dares. |
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StephenPrice
2113 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2009 : 08:12:07 AM
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| Well done chaps, certainly sounds like a tough one. I'll put it in my list of events to avoid hahaha |
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mdunn77
1540 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2009 : 08:58:48 AM
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| Well done guys - sounds tough. Shaun - Let yourself down? Not a bit of it. |
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LittleBigMan
1064 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2009 : 11:25:58 AM
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Well done on getting through what sounds like a really tough event guys. A standard marathon is tough enough for me thank you very much - if there is such a thing as a standard marathon 
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"The will to win is worthless, without the will to prepare." |
Edited by - LittleBigMan on 22 Oct 2009 11:27:42 AM |
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DaveM
608 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2009 : 3:24:15 PM
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I'm with Stephen on this one in that it sounds like an event to avoid!
My legs are aching after reading your report Shaun!
I think that if I had entered this instead of abingdon it would have put me off marathons for life!
well done Shaun and Nick!
DaveM
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Wicked D
2207 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2009 : 5:19:22 PM
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Thanks for kind comments everyone
I think I cut off my report a little early because I REALLY did enjoy this event and whilst writing the report I was still thinking where I can improve next year when I run it again (which I will) so I was still emotionally running this again in my mind 
this route is over a walkers route from Lincoln - Sleaford and many of the route markers are as per the original BUT the running club who helped organised this did do very well and better than last years event with the route markers
Nick - You did very well mate, its a tough challenge and this event will grow even bigger because last year there was 180runners this year 400+
"If you're going through hell, KEEP GOING"....W Churchill |
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AndyS
48 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2009 : 8:08:44 PM
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Great report and great effort all.
It has got me interested - I like the idea of the varied terrain and the challenge of thinking where you are going rather than just pounding around the tarmac.
Will certainly consider it for next year
AndyS |
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fishyweb
2310 Posts |
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colinhewes
182 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 9:52:21 PM
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Well done to both of you. That certainly was a challenging course.
Colin Hewes
Stage 4&5 vet. |
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Ian B
1336 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2009 : 9:39:10 PM
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Great effort as always Shaun and nothing to be disappointed with, sounds like a bit of a toughie
Ian B |
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Spires & Steeples Challenge
