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Dips
4077 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Oct 2009 : 5:19:07 PM
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I'll leave it to the Witton to post a bit of a report...but to say, on one of the worst weathered days in months the girl did bloody fantastic. Knocking nearly an hour off of 2 years ago when we ran it on a reasonably calm autumn day.
She should be well chuffed and confident of the next challenge ahead.
Couple of piccies of Wendi starting out on the second to last climb up to Belle Tout Lighthouse which is shrouded in thick mist. About 2.5 miles to go.
Dips x
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." C.S. Lewis
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mdunn77
1545 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2009 : 6:12:01 PM
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Awesome. Some nice wellies there  |
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claire1
487 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2009 : 6:38:40 PM
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| Nice Hunters! |
Edited by - claire1 on 24 Oct 2009 6:40:27 PM |
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lincsfella
1209 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2009 : 7:01:08 PM
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An hour off!!!!!!!!! damn. Well done Wendi xx superb 
Nice pics too, lovin the boots 
"Always aim for the moon...... because if you miss, you'll still land amongst the stars" |
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Mij0
848 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2009 : 7:25:17 PM
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Come on Wendi spill the beans
Fat again but not for long :-) |
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fishyweb
2311 Posts |
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Wicked D
2207 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 10:24:50 AM
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an hour off a Mara PB is just awesome, looking forward to reading the report
"If you're going through hell, KEEP GOING"....W Churchill |
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Dips
4077 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 1:30:04 PM
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Don'tget carried away...I didn't say an hour off a marathon PB...I said nearly an hour faster than the last time she did this race. So a course PB yes.
And just to add to my tales...I have been out running with her this morning...only 40 mins running (55 mins on feet) but an acheivement for us both in different ways.
Dips x
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." C.S. Lewis
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DaveM
608 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2009 : 8:08:12 PM
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Look forward to reading LB's report. Well done Wendi!
DaveM
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fishyweb
2311 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2009 : 08:21:57 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Dips
I have been out running with her this morning...only 40 mins running (55 mins on feet) but an acheivement for us both in different ways.
Good news - that is real progress, B.
---
Steve
http://www.runsaturday.com/athlete/fishyweb |
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Lazybones
454 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2009 : 4:57:13 PM
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Oh dear it was very nice to read such glowing praise but now you are all waiting for a report and I don’t ‘do’ reports ‘’cos I have the memory of a goldfish – who are you lot again?!! Anyway having drafted one now, I should warn you it is exceptionally long and boring. That will teach you all so just remember in future, be grateful I don’t usually write any!!
A couple of weeks ago I misguidedly remarked I wouldn’t mind running this mara again but I didn’t expect that (courtesy of Matt and his injury) it would be so soon. When I looked out of the bedroom window at 6 o’clock on Saturday morning I saw it had been raining heavily overnight and when I got in the car the thermometer showed around 12-14 which I thought quite acceptable particularly after the thick frost and zero temperature at The Founders Challenge the previous Sunday. However as I drove along the coast the fog got thicker and the winds stronger. (I still don’t understand how you can have thick fog AND high winds). Dips texted me asking if I had any requests so I asked if I could go home to bed but she who shall be obeyed said no !!
Arriving at Eastbourne seafront confirmed what was to come and as I got my substitute number (original is still languishing in the Royal Mail somewhere) Matt’s ears must have been burning! It’s a bit of a confusing start as some of the walkers set off as/when they like but the rest and all the runners set off up the legendary Beachy Head Start vertical slope. By the time we got to the top we were all in the fog and the lone piper after about a mile was barely visible. First section which roughly follows the South Downs Way to Alfriston was not too bad except for the thick mud through Friston Forest but to be honest it probably favoured me as we all know how I like wallowing (you would have liked that section too Matt). After seeing Dips and Mitch (she of the spectacular wellies) in Alfriston the route climbs up to the top of the Downs. This section was nothing short of horrendous – it was driving rain, thick fog and blowing a gale. There was absolutely no way of knowing when the next hill was coming as it was impossible to see more than maybe 100 metres ahead. I knew there was a checkpoint coming up but as I couldn’t see anyone/thing in front of me I only found the right gate into the car park because Dips and I run over that way sometimes. Dips and Mitch were trying to stand up in the wind there with some supplies I had asked for at Alfriston – such dedication which was most appreciated.
The first part of the next section was no better as we were heading pretty much into the wind but once we reached High’n’Over and dropped down to the river at Jevington checkpoint, it was back into Friston Forest which gave us some shelter but only from the wind. More thick mud including two stretches of very slippery steps in the Forest and down into Seven Sisters Country Park where Dips and Mitch were waiting with banana replenishments and encouraging words. As I climbed out of the Country Park and up to the Sisters (or B**ch*s as Dips and I have always preferred to call them) I knew that although it was “only” about 7 miles to go the worst was to come and regrettably I wasn’t wrong. Even in good weather this part is the hardest. Any illusions of nice soft springy clifftop grassy terrain are sadly misplaced – these are chalky rutted ankle-turning tracks formed by water rushing down and they are constantly up or down with no little flat bits across the bottom to ease the legs. The wind gusted and swirled, the rain lashed and the fog was ever-present. My eyes started to really sting from the constant rain driving into them – they were still sore and painful the next day. I got into the Birling Gap (22 miles) checkpoint where Dips and Mitch were a very welcome sight and as I ran out of it I realised the time I thought totally unattainable (for me) on that course was almost possible but knowing only too well the terrain that was still to come I doubted I could do those last few miles in the time needed so I mentally prepared myself for missing it by maybe five minutes which would still have pleased me enormously.
At this stage the road runs near the cliffs and I was the recipient of considerable verbal abuse (encouragement) at several places as can be seen from the photos!! I deliberately didn’t look at my time again as knew if I saw the ‘witching hour pass, my head might go down and I would miss it by more than the five minutes I thought possible. Once I got past the pub that marks the highest point I knew it was pretty much flat but until I got to the final downhill the wind was still battering me. I gave it all I got and managed to pass quite a few, including several on the last very slippery muddy downhill (extra slippery because it is the start hill too). My habit of doing stupid muddy races seems to come in useful – or more likely I am too stupid to be bothered having fallen so many times in the past!
When I crossed the line and looked at my watch I honestly couldn’t believe I had made it and with five minutes to spare - I kept rubbing the face in case the raindrops meant I misread it! Before any of you get excited it’s a time none of you would want but considering the weather and the course it wasn’t too bad for me especially as I truly viewed it as a training run for Druids, walking the hills and running the flats and downhills.
I definitely couldn’t write my one and only report without saying a very great big thank you to Dips and Wellie Mitch for their support and encouragement – it was bad enough being out in that weather running but driving around in thick fog and then having to stand out getting soaked and frozen waiting for me to turn up was definitely above and beyond the call of duty. It was enormously appreciated.
"The only losers are those who quit" |
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mdunn77
1545 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2009 : 5:11:04 PM
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| wowsers.. well done again LB - looks like you're ready for the Druids Challenge |
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StephenPrice
2113 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2009 : 5:18:25 PM
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blimey. Sounds like quite an effort. That pictures, quite scarey - I'd have been worried about running off the cliff into the sea!
Well done Wendi and great report. |
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LittleBigMan
1070 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2009 : 6:26:50 PM
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Well done on what's sounds like a tough course LB. A big chunk of time to take off too!
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"The will to win is worthless, without the will to prepare." |
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fishyweb
2311 Posts |
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claire1
487 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2009 : 8:50:54 PM
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Awesome report for an awesome achievement. Blimey makes a normal marathon seem easy after those conditions!
Huge well done. xxx |
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Beachy Head Marathon
