Running trails always appeals more than running roads, yes there is mud, yes there are tree roots, most likely some cow pat, and quite possibly hills, but it’s those elements that make it more fun and engaging for me.
The changing shape of the route, the footing always different, the scenery and of course the people.
All of the above I found in the Meon Valley Half Marathon organised by Second Wind Running http://secondwindrunning.co.uk/ which is ran by Phil and Teresa, both with extensive running careers themselves.
When an event is organised by runners, you can pretty much be sure you’re in for a good time.
Arriving at the Meon Village Hall with my friend Andrew we were directed to a suitable parking slot by firstly being questioned on our speediness for a marathon.
‘Not very, plus we’re doing the half’ was the response.
This was the correct answer and we were given a very nice spot right by the start/finish.
As the day was rather chilly it was welcome to have the race HQ within the village hall. A big thanks to Meonstoke/Corehampton for this.
With two halls separating registration/food and race bag/shop kit it was very organised yet informal.
Spotting Sandra Hopkins and Russ Bestley at registration made me realise just how good a standard of runners were going to be taking part.
Race number taken (9) Andrew set about waiting for a potential drop out so that he could also run as he’d not been able to get a number before the race day.
Luckily his persistence paid off (130) and I then got the joy of knowing he’d be the task master for the day.
Andrew kills the hills and also tells really really bad jokes…I promptly took my hearing aids out. (You’re fab really Andrew)
Seeing Phil Hall back from his recent NDW100 finish and Simon Whelch after his NYC marathon at the start was great as I’d not seen either of them for some time, they’d both had a really good year of running and were here to do the Marathon.
Run chat and pre-race photo taken the good old fashioned way I wished them well and left them on their merry way.
The nice thing about this event was the merging of the marathon and the half.
Though I appreciate that having two races on the same day limits a few things, it’s really good to be able to come and meet up with people who you wouldn’t generally see because they’re running a different distance.
Once the Marathon runners set off, we went about preparing ourselves.
I was rather nervous, and of late I’ve been getting more frequent palpitations.
So I have found that amongst all the excitement I sometimes need to have a bit of a quiet moment or two as nerves affect me more now it seems.
As I’d taken my hearing aids out I couldn’t really hear what was being said by Phil despite his microphone, but I had caught a few things like turn right at mile 5 and 10, plus some bored souls had decided to remove signage so to be extra vigilant about the course route.
As we walked to the start some 500 metres away, jumping the massive pool/puddle gave us all an insight to what was to be.
Countdown and off we went, charging along the disused railway line knowing that within a 1km there’d be our first major climb.
The first 7 miles takes in the South Downs way with a mix of trail and road/track.
Old Winchester Hill, with about 400ft of ascent in 1.5 miles is not a particularly easy climb, add in the rain sodden clay and many runners it was a true mud bath.
Staying up-right as well as going straight was a challenge in itself.
Knowing that this was by far the toughest climb though helped as I knew I could just go steady and save myself for the later climbs.
Andrew being a hill killer also became gate king so I could slide through the gate a the top rather than skate into it and injure myself.
I loved the next section, tight track, muddy and slight downhill.
Nicely marshaled at the crossing and then the steep descent to the first checkpoint at the farm.
Downhills are my favourite thing in trail running, I may not be graceful but there’s something about hurtling down the hill that releases the inner child in me.
There were some more kind runners were waiting for their own group and holding open the gate at the bottom so we could just sail through again. Thanks to them.
A few road sections prior to the next hill allowed me to open my running a bit and loosen the legs.
Up to the next track we went, were we seemed to fall into place with a couple called Euan and Sally.
Quite nice to have people around you of similar pace or faster as it urges you on.
As we crossed a road we spied Keirnan at the crossing poised with a camera.
I really hope he got a decent picture of us, he looked like he was having fun. High five to his daughter also for standing around handing out sweets and cheers, not many young girls would be up for this on a Sunday.
The next major hill also on the South Downs Way was up from Coombe to where the path met Droxford Road, about a 200ft climb over 1 mile.
Euan was certainly made for hills, he and Andrew bounced up whilst I settled into a steady pace with Sally before she pulled away at around mile 7 as we descended a really nice bit of track.
I think this was my fastest section after the second hill. We’d left the South Downs Way now and the next section was perhaps the easier part, but of course with already tired legs from all the mud, two of the major hills and with a sprinkling of short climbs, it didn’t necessarily feel easy.
The last major climb was from just outside the hamlet of Chidden along a country lane that then onto a field track, with around 230ft ascent in just under a mile, my legs were not best pleased.
At the turning off the country lane to the field we were greeted merrily by David Harvey, another awesome local runner, who kindly told us it was the last hill or rather major hill so he said.
I then went into a diatribe of swearing at this last ‘major’ hill much to another guys either shock or amusement.
At around mile 10 we were now following a wider country road as opposed to lane, and with that, a few cars, but like any small event, we were cautious and didn’t take up the whole road.
Luckily we had no issues here and were able to open up our stride again in the knowledge that we were almost at the next descent and the final few miles.
The last section was back to the formula of tight trail, lots of mud and more fun.
At this point running down became an art form on tired legs and I made a supreme effort to stay upright but I was able to keep up with Andrew just and moan at a joke or two about an Irishman and a pub. Yes they are that bad.
Approaching the road for the last km was quite welcome, and also a chance to put a bit of a kick in, before turning onto the field at the village hall with a lap on the grass, which seemed then to sap my legs.
Crossing the finish line in 2 hours 1 minute and 22 seconds in 58th place out of 138 finishers. I am a middle pack runner.
I think that was both the hardest half marathon I’ve done and also the most fun.
With over 1200ft of climbing, most of it along muddy tracks and trails with a spattering of road sections it wasn’t your usual half marathon, it was way better.
A kindly lady placed the medal around my neck as I tried to mumble a thank-you.
My legs of course thought I was an idiot but I rarely listen to my legs. I gave them the satisfaction of a warm down walk and stretch to placate them.
Shoes off and into the hall, one of Andrews friends had come second lady so we clapped and cheered the respective ‘placers’ in the half marathon before going on to collect our race t-shirts and then into the food hall for some much needed grub,a lovely cup of veggie chili.
This was a brilliant addition to a very well organised race.
Such good value for money as an event, I don’t run for medals, I run always for the spirit of running, for being part of something and sharing a day with like minded people.
This medal was very well earned though and the £20 was worth it for that.
Having somewhere to park, somewhere to keep warm, be fed, have a shower, receive a medal, get a t-shirt and a goody bag plus have fab marshals as well as organisers you really would be hard pushed to find something that was better value for money, or money aside, something just better.
Thank you to everyone who made this race one to remember.
If you like stats he’s the course as ran by me.
Gabrielle outdoors 