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Wye
Valley 50miler - Saturday, 12th March 2011
Mel & I travelled up on Friday night after work to Hereford to the
Travelodge that we'd booked, and only arrived at about 8.45pm. We hurriedly
dumped our bags in the room and rushed out again for some well deserved dinner
at the pub which was virtually attached to the Travelodge, just managing to
get our food order in on time, which when washed down with a nice bottle of
South African Chenin Blanc, went down a treat !!
We decided to leave the packing of our kit bags until the next morning, which
retrospectively wasn't a good idea and it was 11.30pm before we retired for a
well deserved nights sleep. We set the alarm for 4.20am as we had to get up
and get packed then drive to Glasbury House in Glasbury where the bus
was due to pick us up at 6am and take us to the start at Llandrig for a
7.30am start. This was a point to point race and needless to say leaving
the car at the finish (getting the bus to the start) and then running back 50
miles seemed the most logical option. We only managed to get to the bus
pick up point at 5.55am as the packing had taken so long, but we were on time
(just) though the 3 busses were organised in terms of christian name
categorisation, so Mel & I got put onto separate busses which was quite
amusing. She did have the company of a work colleague Robin who being a
very accomplished runner suggested we run as part of a team so he came up
with team DRuM (David,Robin, Melanie). We ate the honey crunch cornflakes and
egg sandwich that I'd bought at the petrol station the night before on the bus,
as a good pre race meal, and got to the start with time to visit the
portaloos, though there were only 2 so the queues were quite long as they
normally are !
The race started just after 7.30 am, and Robin and I ended up running
together, and we ran the first mile behind two ladies that were virtually being
pulled along by their huskies with harnesses around their midriffs, it was
like being in the Antarctic though fortunately the weather conditions were
perfect even though rain had been predicted for the day. The course was well
marked with red arrows and the race logo "must contain nuts". That
said at the top of the first really steep climb no-one could spot the way down
arrow but we found it (in a group) and run down at about a 60 degree angle
towards the narrow country lane at the bottom.
The scenery was out of this world as we were surrounded by the most spectacular
mountains and lakes. At the pre race briefing they said we'd have a river
crossing, which wasn't very big but it was quite good fun running across a
stream (and getting soaked) and then carrying on with wet feet which generally
got mashed against the tops of your shoes on the way down the numerous precipitous
slopes.The race progressed though pine forests, along the river Wye which was so
picturesque and we crossed bridges that spanned remote dams, the vistas
were forever changing and running through these desolate, though beautiful
river valleys for me was total karma.
The miles progressed and the terrain became very undulating to the point when
you had to walk up some very sleep mountain passes, traverse though forests
and run along quiet country lanes, rarely meeting or seeing many people though
the feeling of contentment was complete in my mind and spirit, and I couldn't
have wished to be anywhere else. I got to a checkpoint after about 20 miles
having drunk 2 litres of electrolyte replacement mix in my hydropack and topped
up with Zero Active tablets the Caffeinated variety mixed with 2
litres of water and was then on my way again, back on the trail having
drunk huge amounts to compensate for my high sweat rate, whilst all the time
nibbling at dried bananas, taking gels, eating peanuts, 9 bars, and digestive
biscuits that I managed to scrounge at a checkpoint.
I got to within the last few miles and knew at this stage I was in 4th place, so
I wanted to keep things that way, low and behold within the last 300 meters
literally this guy that I had been running with that had done the JOGLE (John
O'Groats to Lands End) i.e one of those super extreme types, appeared like an
apparition from nowhere.I was jogging along merrily thinking I'd at least bagged
4th place when I heard this madman pounding the earth behind me, in hot
pursuit. Needless to say I was annoyed that I had been ahead for so long and
there he was threatening my coveted place, so I put the pedal to the metal
and we had a massive sprint finish.The marshals said we crossed the line
together (having done the last 100 meters in about 14 seconds) I reckon I got my
nose in before him though. Anyway we were awarded joint 4th place and that's
cricket I suppose. My final finishing time was 8hrs 59mins.
Mel, came in around 11hrs.10mins having narrowly missed out on the 3rd
place which was 11hrs 5mins though she thoroughly enjoyed her race and also
declared that she wanted to come back (as I did the following year) to get
a top 3 finish.
The atmosphere was electrifying and the organisation superb. I had a word though
with the organisers to get them to consider medals for the forthcoming year we
didn't get anything apart from a £10 gift voucher to spend in the online
shop, though overall it was one of the most scenic and stimulating Ultras I have
ever done and we will be back for more pain and suffering, next year
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