So for Aug we all decided that rather than run over the bridge, we would instead run up and down dale in Narberth, for the NOBBLER!
It looks like it might be a bit hilly, but they had a half, and a ten K, so Becs/Barry/Sian/Kate/Ant did the 10K and I did the half – it was brutal.
We arrived to a full car park, and didn’t have long before it started, I nearly ran over Greg in the car park, then caught up with him and Peaky at the start line. Before I knew it we were off. Started having a conversation with Greg as we went around the houses and down the first wet track, which is never the best idea in the world – but as we got to the end I was not running at a natural speed, so left GD there and plodded off.
After about a mile or so, we left the road for a bridle track, which was used by cows by the looks of things – it was pretty steep, but also very very muddy. Up to your calf muddy, so after trying to get up there it settled for a while, then back on road, then up a long track. Then a big down, then you were in the woods. It was rutted and wet and muddy, and also quite busy with people in the way – it took me back to the ultra a year or so ago, not great.
After about 7 miles I was really feeling it, and at the bottom of a slippery, rocky slope old GD caught up with me, and I panted out some words to him for a mile, until he hared it up the hill, and I had to just walk it – too steep man!
After that I just resided myself in the fact hat I only had 4 miles left, and I almost do that in my sleep in the mornings – but my usual runs are not like this bad boy.
Anyway we went back down the route we had started some 2 hrs ago, and then a very long, gentle uphill with a final very steep grassy bit at the end.
It was knackering. Time was about Pembs half time: 2:15:18.
Peaky was back before me (he cheated and came in 10th) and I nearly caught GD but not quite (11 secs ahead!).
Went around the corner to a pub and sat outside and had three beers, then went back home.