This year the route followed a clockwise circuit which gave us the advantage of half a mile of flat running before we hit the first hill, but also meant that all the really tough climbs would be on the final stretch of coast when the legs were at their most tired.
However that was some way ahead and we set off at 9.30am into the glorious Spring sunshine. Richard overtook us on Peak Hill as we made our way west towards the first trig point, and very quickly opened up a useful lead. As we turned inland we were treated to the occasional glimpse of his yellow shirt ahead of us but we were more concerned with the chasing pack of Axe Valley Runners who pushed us all the way.
Martin, possibly affected by the weather definitely had a spring in his step and I was working hard to try and stay with him as we safely negotiated the tricky woodland maze and began the long climb up to the second trig point - a welcome drink and jelly babies awaited us here and then it was on to my favourite part of the inland section - some good running along forest tracks and then a downhill sweep to Sidford and the third road crossing.
As we climbed up to towards the third trig we once again glimpsed Richard, a mere 50 yards or so ahead of us...and walking, but he disappeared into the woods ahead of us and by the time we all emerged having checked through the next trig, he had disappeared. Had he got badly lost in the woods or had he increased his lead?
The AVR runners were still snapping at our heels and as there were 5 of them we were under pressure to reach the check points ahead of them, or form an orderly queue. Once we had passed through the donkey sanctuary (all those cute donkeys enjoying the sunshine and no time to stop for a cuddle today) we opened up a gap and could then just concentrate on enjoying the level section as we headed through Weston and turned back to the coast and the final trig.
The last trig is out and back from the route of the coastal path, and sure enough as we were on our way out we met Richard on his way back. He told us he was a bit tired (well I think that's what "I'm f*****" means) hardening our determination to catch him up.
The stretch back along the coast is the most scenic, but also has the toughest climbs. First down to Westonmouth where you descend to the beach for 50 yards of pre Grizzly training on the shingle before climbing the cruelly placed steps up the other side, and we were steadily gaining on the yellow shirt ahead of us. Then another drop down to Salcombe mouth - no taking the easy option along the beach today - the tide was in and there had been a rock fall since we had run it earlier in the year.
On the long hard climb up from Salcombe we finally caught Richard and opened up a small lead as we struggled upwards, but he caught us briefly as we descended the other side. The toughest hill still awaited us and it really is a killer, especially at this stage. The reward for finally reaching the top is the signpost saying "Sidmouth 2/3 mile" and knowing that it's all downhill! We really went for it now, I wasn't sure if we had got far enough ahead of Richard to hold our lead on the downhill - where he is far stronger than me - but despite much nervous glancing over shoulders there was no sign of him and we arrived back at the Yacht Club in 2 hours 52 minutes, just outside of last year's time - but both of us thought that it was much tougher this way round - and more importantly (to me!) I had defended my title successfully and finished first lady again.
Richard wasn't far behind us and then we had time for a dip in the sea (which was only slightly colder than the showers) before enjoying the free post race refreshments and then cheering Lesley home - who appeared to have enjoyed herself so much that she ran straight past the finish and for a moment we thought she was going to do a second circuit. Fortunately good sense prevailed.
And here are the pictures..............................
How many runners buried under there?!
Grim determination on the race to the top of Peak Hill
Plenty more hills where this one came from
And some of them go down!
Sorry chaps, no carrots today
Not far on the pebbles 
Does he know we're behind him?
He knows we're in front of him now!
The last, but certainly not least hill
What kept you?
Come on in, the water's.............bloody freezing!
No whining today, just wine
Lesley starts her second lap
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3 comments:
Damn and Blast, couldn't even get the first blog up. Lin's wasn't there when we first looked - guess my typist couldn't keep up with my dictating.
Forgot to mention - as we ran alongside woods towards the fourth trig there were shotgun sounds and I swear shot was whizzing through the air. I even shouted out "runners coming" as a warning. Also it is very disconcerting when Martin strolls past, pauses to take photos of me half-dead, and then sprints off! To add insult to injury or perhaps a psychological tactic he asked what was wrong with my knee!!!
PS the above comment was entirely Richard's........
You're lucky he only took pictures of you after he'd passed you. He spent almost the entire 17 miles running behind me taking photos carefully angled to make my arse look enormous....and none of those are going on the blog!
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