As I sit here, I am now half wayish through my 8 week come back half training taking place in Liverpool on May 20th. Am I happy with training, but then again I know it’ll probably be my second worst time out of all my half’s. But as I’ve said. I just want to complete the bloody thing (and go to visit Liverpool). My next long run sees me complete 8 miles with any luck. The plan only goes to 10! So far training is going well. I’ve stuck to it bar missing 1 run completely and cheekily missing 0.8 miles because I classed this race as a training run and I think it was the maximum effort I’d put into a 7 miler.
I stayed at home in Tamworth instead of coming to Coventry and luckily enough the start time was 11am. Meaning it wouldn’t be an early get up. Lizzy came to me and off we went. We didn’t get lost once on the way. Which is really good for us. Stopping off at the petrol station seen Lizzy eating a full blown croissant and me a little bit larger than normal packet of malteasers. We arrived and the mansion were absolutely stunning! Everyone was also wearing the purple stroke top which was so cool to look at. All these people united against the fight for more research to help prevent or treat strokes. The 15k went off first which seen them do 3 laps, the 10k 2 and the 5k 1.
Before we knew it, we congregated to the start and off we went. The first bit was down hill to the left. Then through a gate, to follow a little pond which were gravelled paths. This was the first incline of the day. By this point we were only half a mile in and my legs were burning, my heart rate erratic and my breathing was terrible. I kept think. Push through the first mile. Come on Coley. I ran the first 0.75miles before the course literally broke me to a walk. Again, on gravel we headed into the wooded areas. More hills again! And I mean steep. Within the first 14 minutes we gained just over 200ft.
By 21 minutes we had plumited to the maximum decline, man it felt so good and natural. I felt so much more free than being on road! Before we knew it, another massive climb was in front of us. I was not alone in walking. Many had be beaten by the inclines of the course.
Again, another climb of over 200ft just as we were gaining momentum. Me and Lizzy were nearly crying for the sight of it. I wanted to take a picture. But I forgot. I was just concentrating on my breathing. Even at a walking pace I was struggling. I think other than after 18 mile during the Hull marathon. This was the most I’d ever walked during an event!
We completed the first lap of 5km in 40minutes. But it was nice to learn the the last 0.7 mile of the course was a lovely downhill to the finish. As the 5k’ers crossed the line, they must have been secretly happy that they didn’t have to endure another lap or two. I suspect there were a few people on the 10-15k events that dropped their distances without a doubt. I remember saying to Lizzy. I feel for those who done this as their first race. I think it would put me off running for life it it was mine. The terrain was tough. I mean, I don’t really run the Wolf Run. Its not a timed event after all. I pay £55 per race, I don’t care if I take 4 hours to complete it. It’s not competitive. I do it with my friend who doesn’t really run much and only does it because i blackmailed her into it for the first time in 2015, now she absolutely loves it. So much so she completed her 4 seasons to gain her Alpha Wolf status the year just gone. It’s the highlight of our year together!
This event showed me just how different hitting the trail was when all you’ve ever done is road running. It takes a lot more out of you, it’s also more brutally demanding but offeres so much more versatility and you can truly appreciate nature at its finest. The air just seemed purer, and like I’ve just said you feel more of a sense of freedom.
The second lap. We knew what we were in for this time. I did walk a lot more. We kept trying to run the downhills and the flats. It was really funny actually. When we ran, we overtook this gentleman. Then when we walked, his massive stride overtook us to the point he said “keep going girls. Because you’re keeping me going with this little yo-yo pacing!” Aha. The first incline seemed harder. But my lungs seemed to have settled into the motion. The weather was really humid when we got to the woods. I was sweating and I felt a little light headed for about 3 minutes. Me and Lizzy at one point started singing cereal advert songs like coco pops and Frosties hahaha. Then breaking into duets half way to the finish. When we passed one of the marshalls we associated them with omg it’s all downhill from here and it was bliss. One of the declines where the photographer was, nearly seen me tumble because I was running so fast and it was quite steep. Just after this. Lizzy decided it was a great idea to roll her ankle and yelped. But continued to run because we knew we didn’t have long to go.
Oo and when we reached the highest peak we looked down to the field representing the last kilometres and about 20 wild deer pegged it right onto the course. But luckily they didn’t stop and headed into another wooded area. That was incredible to watch. Wouldn’t see that on a road race now would you?
We reached the water station which meant we were a couple of yards from the finish. I ran so fast. A sprint finish and according to my Garmin it ended with a 5:50min/mile for a split second before I stopped my watch with the marshal having to literally put her hands in front of me to stop me to give me my medal . We did it. We lined up to gain our finishing time ticket from the chip timing company and we started at the same time and finished at exactly the same time! Now that’s what you call a running buddy for life. Our finish time was 1:23:40. Lizzy finished 5th in her age category! I finished 23rd and we didn’t come last! Yey.
So that was the toughest 10k I’ve ever done. Me and Lizzy both joked that this was Karma for MK just over a month ago. But it gives me great optimism that I will be able to finish the Birmingham 10km in 2 weeks time. So with that peace out. Until then!
