"You head out of the training grounds [military site] through a short forest section and after a couple of kays, you will come across some ice. Don't worry - its only an inch thick and the water is waist deep. We broke through it yesterday with pics and shovels so you will be able to get through. Then you head up ..." Warmly wrapped in his Barbour jacket and wellies, this race organizer didn't seem too concerned that it was 0.5 degrees and snowing!
"Whatever", I thought - typical race organizer trying to hype the event up. Sure enough after 2km, we came across a muddy puddle of ice / sludge. Some fancy footwork around the edges, grasp at a few trees - all good, my shoes are still dry. Nice one! Getting into my stride again, we came around the next bend to this :
"B-loot-e Elle" I thought... but before even having time to chicken out the race leader charged into the Ice Lake promptly falling over and grasping for the only thing which offered a slight bit of traction... the plastic barrier tape ! EPIC.
The race continued in and out of another 3 ice lakes and finally went through some seriously undulating (ie so steep not even "the caveman" would run up them) and then over and over and over and over the "Iraq Desert" sand dunes.
Respect to British Trail running - this was hands down (literally) the best running I have ever done. Great fun! The race organizers certainly lived up to their description of "muddy, gritty and downright knackering." Well done Cat, Ang and Grant on organizing and conquering this broodal run with me - respect! All this snow talk is making me thirsty ... time for a pint of British Tea !
