Now it is Complete!

So now I have completed the 40 Events,  I am really pleased to of completed my challenge! I am also so glad that I kept a Blog, (thank you to my brother for talking me into it!), it has been a great thing for me to look back on, and remember each Event.

It has been a great year! Some people ask what was the best bit, or the Best Event, I am not really sure on that one. Yes, some particularly stand out, Ride the Night, the Weekend in Tenby, Kelston 10K, but each Event has posed its own great challenge and achievement. From the Tough Trail Runs, in all that mud in those first winter months, to torrential rain for 3 hours during a tough Triathlon!

I have done my first Night Run, I have ridden the streets of London through the Night, I have endured tough conditions,(ridiculously so at times!), which brought out the best in me, and in others. I have ran in some lovely locations, that I otherwise wouldn’t of ever been to, and I have had the privilege of some lovely summer days to do this in. I have had never ending support, and well wishes from my friends and family over the year, and this in turn has been so great, and inspiring in itself.

For those that are interested in the facts and figures side of life here is my Events:

5K – 2

5 Miles – 1

10K – 20

10 Miles -1

15K – 1

Half Marathon  – 1

Swims – 4

Bike – 5

Triathlon – 5

Only One Event was Abroad – Roth 5K

I know that the dominant Event is a 10K, and that is why half of my Events were this, they are abundant, easy to find, and relatively easy to do; week in, week out. Half Marathon, or longer, take more time / training, and I was worried, taking on too many of these, or longer, would leave me fatigued, and not enough time to train adequately for them, alongside doing all the Events. I managed to maintain the second part of the year relatively injury, and illness free, which is always a good thing in a active persons life!

I am now off to ponder on the next challenge, and year ahead, maybe after a few weeks rest though!!!

 

Event 40 of 40

Date: 30.10.16

Run: Exmoor 10K

Distance: 9K

Time taken: 55:27

Memory of Event: Remote location, great support, and the final one!!

http://trailevents.co/trail-running-series/exmoor

So I have finally made it, and completed the 40th Event! I am really pleased to of completed my own challenge, and alongside that had a great year doing it! All of the Events posed their own individual ups and downs, some more than others, and all hold different memories for me.

This final run was set in the beautiful area of the Doone Valley of Exmoor National Park. We had stayed over the night before, so I got a glimpse of its beauty as we drove across the moorland to reach our hotel. I was strangely nervous on the morning of the run, or perhaps anxious in my worry to actually get there and complete on my final event. I had friends who had also entered the Event, as well as Mike, so I was keen to ensure we got there, got started, and completed!

As we drove to the Event, we were led down narrow country lanes, and we began to realise how literally remote this run was, it really was away from everything. Registering at the Event, I gave my name as per usual, and as they looked me up, the marshal’s said oh yes here you are! I was a little confused at first, till they told me that I had been allocated Race Number 40, for my final run, and how inspired they were by this. So despite wearing a different colour race number from all the other 10K runners, I was the proud wearer of Number 40 for the run. It then materialized that Mike had contacted the Race Organisers before the Event to tell them what I was doing, and they had ensured all the volunteers knew, and allocated me this number! – It was so nice, and made me feel really special.

It turns out this wasn’t the end of the surprises, as Mum and Martyn had driven down for over 3 hours to see, and support my final event, which was also a lovely surprise, and so very kind of them. It was great to have some friends and family with me to share in my last event.

The run set off, and as we jogged along from the start, the route meandered through the Valley, and it was truly beautiful, in glorious autumn colours. It was hard to keep your feet running as you just wanted to take int he lovely views! The inevitable climbing soon came, as we ascended up, and then up some more! As we reached the top, I could see other runners and the path stretching across the moorland ahead of me. It was so remote, and so rugged, and I was loving it.

As we reached a marshal perched in the middle of the moorland, even he was aware of the Number 40, which really did surprise me, and I have to say what great organisers they were.

As we dropped down the other side, the path became very narrow, and very steep, leading on to a rocky path, which made the downhill going a little tough, but I soon dropped down to join the river again. As we ran along the river, I could hear the commentators of the finish line, and I cheered to myself to of done it!! 40 Events of 40 Events done!

I am so glad I had this Event as my final one, it was really beautiful, in it remoteness, miles from anywhere, and its scenery. The effort they made for me in recognition of my 40, and alongside that having friends, and boyfriend to run it with, and family to support, made it all very special, like it was my actual birthday!

 

 

Event 39 of 40

Date:15.10.2016

Run: Milford Mash

Distance: 10K

Time taken: 01:00.33

Memory of Event: Childhood memories on forest trails.

http://www.mashrunning.co.uk

Event Number 39, only one more left to go after this one! I was accompanied today by Mike, who was also undertaking the run, and my Mother, and her partner who had come to watch and support.

This Event was held on Cannock Chase, a part of the country where I was lucky enough to spend many happy years of my childhood years. I spent years living nearby, walking, playing, riding bikes, climbing trees and running in this large expanse of forest. Returning now, not quite with the childhood energy level, but with perhaps a greater appreciation of the beauty of the area, and the joy of running through these forest trails, in the glorious autumn season.

Runners gathered on the Common ready to start the run. The Mash was aptly named, due to the sudden uphill start, which greeted us within seconds of the start, as people started to scramble up the hill. As we got into our running, the hill continued, and continued!! The forest was in its true element with autumnal colours, greeting us, and it was an enjoyable experience running along the forest trails.

There was not many flat bits for this run, it was either up or down. As we descended down, we crossed a small river, as people ploughed through the water, I  more delicately crossed over the stepping  stones!!  That small bit, felt like the only flat section, and it was soon over! As we ascended up and over the final hill, we then were left to finish, on the very same steep slope that we had started up, coming back down was a little more hairy, and with people gathered to watch the finish, I really didn’t want to fall flat on my face in front of everyone!! I managed to keep my feet, and finished to get my medal, the 39th!!

Thanks to Mum and Martyn for the support, and the lift! Thanks to Strava for the route profile:

 

Event 38 of 40

Date: 02/10/2016

Event: Portishead Multi terrain 10K

Distance: 10K

Time taken: 57:35

Memory of Event: Stunning Day!

http://www.portisheadrunningclub.co.uk

Today was a stunning day, weather wise, with only a slight autumnal nip in the air. This Event was nice and local to me, so local, I did in fact cycle to the start, which got me out of the car, on days like today, always a joy!

This run started at the Lake Grounds in Portishead, with only around 150 runners taking part, it felt, small, friendly and relaxed. The first 5K takes you through woodland, where it rises steeply in places, but you catch glimpses through the trees of the waters of the Bristol Channel. Before returning along the promenade then following the  coastal path, before rising steeply to return along the roads, and back down to the Lake Ground.

Despite the rains of the previous day, it wasn’t too muddy underfoot, and though my legs did feel tired at the beginning, I really enjoyed this run, and I felt stronger and stronger as the run went on. After last weeks Half Marathon, the hour felt quick, but I was glad not to have to keep going for another hour this week!

Having a puncture on the cycle home, (thank you to Mike for rescuing me!), did not spoil the very enjoyable morning. I only have two events left to complete now, which feels quite strange, but I am looking forward to its won finishing line, of Event Number 40!

 

Event 37 of 40

Date: 25/09/2016

Run: Forest of Dean Half Marathon

Distance: 13 Miles

Time taken: 01:57:59

Memory of Event: Autumn run in the beautiful forest.

http://www.forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk/autumn

It has been a while since I have ran the Half Marathon Distance, and I have been so busy doing all my other events, that I was very aware of how potentially unprepared for this distance I was, this Event had been hanging over me slightly. I had managed a few runs of around 10 miles, but I really felt that I had not done enough, and I was worried.

It was a lovely fresh autumn morning, almost perfect temperature for running as I arrived at the Forest of Dean.There was around 700 runners doing this Event this morning, so not too busy, or too crowded for out on the forest Trails. I had previously looked at the run profile, and I had noted that the first few miles were downhill, followed by a rather long uphill. I decided to start quick, and enjoy the down hill part first, before the long slog set in. Looks can be deceiving I thought, as the first 2 miles were a bit more undulating than actually downhill. As the route started to descend, properly, I knew my times were quick, and I was cautious of over pushing it at the beginning, but I was keen, and it was nice to see the miles ticking by.

Inevitably, with every down their is an up. The run started to climb, and it went on for quite a few miles, it wasn’t overly steep in gradient, in fact it was quite a nice gradient, it just went on, and then on! I do tend to favor going up hills, than down, I am a bit strange like that, so I used my strengths to push up the hills, and at this point I was still feeling fresh, and strong. As I passed the 10K mark, I realised that I would of been pleased with that as a 10K time, and I was nearly half way now.

The run headed down again, and it was lovely running along the forest trails, and enjoying the lovely autumn day, as the trees were in their peak of changing colour, leading to a lovely scenic picture.

As predicted, just before 10 miles I started to to tire, and I began to  find it tough, really tough. We had started to head up again by this point, a long hard slog up. My legs were tired, and my feet were really starting to hurt. It hurt. 3 more miles I thought, that is all. I kept myself going, again up a hill, with not too hard a gradient,but seemed to drain my already tired legs. Finally we started to descend, and I managed to gather some energy for the final bit, inspired by the end being in sight!

I crossed the line, and I was delighted to finish in under 2 hours, with not as much training as I would of liked, and on a relatively hilly course I was very pleased with that!

 

Event 36 of 40

Date: 17/09/2016

Event: The Big Cotswold Swim

Distance: 2 Mile (3200 Meters)

Time taken: :01:03

Memory of Event: Nice morning for a Swim!

http://www.triferris.com/bigswim

The Big Cotswold Swim is an open Water Swim held in one of the Lakes of the Cotsowld Waterland Outdoor Center. On the same morning, two distances are swam, the one mile, or the two Lap two Mile Swim. I had chosen to do the 2 Miles.

It was a beautiful early Autumn morning as the mist lifted, and the sun shone through. It is motivating to only have 4 events left, however there is a slight essence of knowing that I will miss challenging myself, most weeks, and wonder how I will begin to fill my weekends!!

There was a larger number of swimmers doing the One mile event, and they set off 10 minutes before us. The lake was quite tranquil and still, as just over 100 of us all set off on our two lap course of the lake, to cover the 2 miles. The usual medley of an open water swim, and the kicks and the punches ensured, before I was able to find my space and swim a bit more freely.

The first lap passed relatively quickly, and easily. The second lap I did begin to tire slightly, as my arms became tired, but with the end in sight, I pushed hard, and finished strongly. I was pleased with my time, and result, at the end, and set off home, with only 4 events left to go……

 

 

Event 35 of 40

Date: 11/09/2106

Event: Clevedon Marine Lake Triathlon

Distance: Sprint. 400m Swim, 18K Bike, 5K Run

Time taken: 01:10 Swim:7:35, Bike:33 Run:27

Memory of Event: Enjoyment in the Sunshine!

http://www.freakevents.co.uk/freak-events/clevedon-marine-lake-triathlon-2016

Sunrise:

 

Clevedon is a Victorian Seaside town, overlooking the Severn Estuary, and I enjoy visiting there, and walking along its beautiful coastal path looking out along the Estuary. This was the first year that this triathlon was held here, and I was looking forward to this small, local triathlon. It was a beautiful, slightly chilly early autumn morning, as we gathered, ready to start our Sprint Triathlon.

The swim was in the Marine Lake that has been recently renovated, with its very still and calms waters, it was perfect for a fast, and relatively easy 440m swim to start. I was in the females 40 + Age group to start, and everyone seemed very relaxed, many of them doing a Triathlon for their first time. As the Swim set off, I set off easily, and fast. It was a good swim, and I was pleased to get out of the water, just behind the first swimmer.

Setting off on to the Bike, it was a beautiful sunny morning, and it was an easy, flat bike course, on familiar roads, and the miles ticked easily by, in an unusual occurrence for me, I even overtook a few people from the earlier starting group!

Heading off the bike and into the run, I had been hoping for a nice, flat trot along the Esplanade,. Sadly this was not be!! The run course headed straight up some steps to the top of the Cliff, to head down the other side, before heading out along the Coast, before the turn around point. Back along the very pretty coastal path, and back down to Clevedon, and finally along the flatter sea front.

Headed towards the finish line, I was pleased to finish, with a good time, a little disappointed in my run time, on the hills, but overall a good time.

Event 34 of 40

Date:03/09/2016

Event: Gower Triathlon

Distance: Olympic: Swim 1500m (1 Mile) Bike 37K (23 miles) Run 10K (6 miles)

Time taken: Swim: 28:01, Bike 01:30, Run 56:59. Total: 03:00:56

Memory of Event: Very, very Wet, and Windy!

http://www.gowertriathlon.com

The Calm before the Storm!:

This Event had been planned to tie in with a nice weekend away with friends, so I had been looking forward to this for a while. As the weekend drew closer the weather forecast grew bleaker, and bleaker. We had been having such lovely weather, and the promise of an Indian Summer, was clearly forgotten for this day! Lining upon the start line knowing that heavy rain was ahead, was tough, but once in the water, and the rain started, it didn’t seem to matter.

All ready to go:

The Swim started as a mass start, and it was tough swim, with the impending storm, came the inevitable swell. A very choppy swim, led to feelings of nausea, but I battled through, and tried not to swallow all of the waves as they crashed down around me. A reason to be thankful came to my head, at least this is isn’t a Long Distance Triathlon, a thought that I then repeated throughout the Event, as it got tougher and tougher!

Leaving the Swim, and running up the Beach to the first transition, I realised, that the rain that had just started as we had been swimming, was now coming down with a vengeance! The Bike course immediately headed up a long steep hill,away from the sea, and heading out across the Gower. Sadly what would of been beautiful scenery was pretty much missed as my head was bent down and low against the driving rain, and the wind. The roads were covered with water, and I soon became so wet, I couldn’t of got more wetter I am sure! At this point I realised the best I could do was survive this and get round, as the rain drove down even harder, and the  hills continued, as the Course headed back to the Village into a head wind!

Finally arriving back into the town to transition on to the run, there was lake like puddles to wade through to enter into transition. Heading out on to the run, we headed out on to the beach, where the wind whipped off the sea, and drove the rain at us. Not since January have I done and event where the conditions were so terrible! The run course was tough, really tough, even as a stand alone 10K this would of been tough, let alone with the preceding hard swim, and hilly, wet bike.

We headed across the beach and then through sand, always enough to sap the energy from your legs, and then headed up a steep, steep hill. My legs had nothing in them at that point, coming off the bike, and into all that, I was drained of energy, and I knew I had to find my run legs quick. I started to walk up a section of the hill, and tried to gain some energy back. As the gradient leveled off slightly, I started to run again, and then found the energy to start to push on. The hill continued; you can always rely on Wales for the terrible weather, and the hills! The run back down was nice, allowing some recovery, before back along the beach, across some leg destroying sand dunes, and then back around again for the second lap! I did find the second lap easier, I think I had got some energy back, and knowing what was ahead for me, pushed me on. It was great to see our little group, of friends out on the run as we looped round, and that we were all surviving the terrible conditions, but all still smiling!

The run Profile:

As I finished in just over 3 hours, I was relieved to of completed, but I also really really enjoyed myself! From the beginning the Event had been full of ups and downs, from the waves, to the hills on the bike, and the ups and downs of the run, even on a good day this Event would of been tough. The conditions were ridiculous, but there is something about battling through hills, and terrible conditions, that brings out the best in you, and others, and the camaraderie between us made the day!

Event 33 of 40

Date:21.8.16

Event: Run the River

Distance: 15K

Time taken:01:25

Memory of Event: Good Pacing!

https://www.aspirerunningevents.co.uk/runtheriver2

This run was a mixture of roads, and trails, mostly following along the River Avon, in the Avon Valley. I had chosen to do the two Lap 15K run. Heavy rain the day before made us all worry about the mud on this multi terrain route, but it was actually not really muddy at all- the perks of summer running!

As I do the Events over the year, I have found Some Events are in preparation for Events to come, some are more relaxed, and some Events are bigger Events. This Event particularly was to try and help me prepare for a Half Marathon I have coming up in a few weeks, so I was keen to pace this run well, and with the extra 5K, from what I am more used to  I didn’t want to tire too much, and become slower. I set off easily, onto a narrow path alongside the river, I became stuck behind other runners, but used this to keep my pace down. Once the run had opened up, I was able to increase my pace slightly, but also kept it steady.
After following the River for some time, we looped round on the road, and back across fields, before rejoining the river to loop again, and repeat a second time. The Weather stayed dry, and it was an enjoyable run through the Avon Valeey.

I was pleased to keep my running strong and steady throughout the second Lap, and was pleased with my overall time. Examining my Strava afterwards, I had achieved my aim, and kept a similar pace throughout the run:

Event 32 of 40

Date:14/08/2016

Event: Eton Dorney Swim

Distance: 4K

Time taken: 1 Hour 20 Minutes

Memory of Event: Swimming in an Iconic Venue

http://humanrace.co.uk/event/diamond-triathlon-swims

There was several distance Swims for this Event, from 1K through to 5K. My friend and I had entered the 4K swim. Arriving at Eton Dorney Lake, I was very excited to see the Olympic Rings on display as a reminder of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Donning our wetsuits, we set off to start the Swim. Our 4K Swim involved 4 Laps of a marked 1000m circuit. The Lake itself is like a giant, long swimming pool, for us, and ideal for rowers too! The water temperature was a balmy 21c, and at times while swimming, it did feel quite warm.

Several laps in, it started to become a bit dull, in just swimming round the same laps, and I had run out of things to think about! As is usual, the 3rd lap was the toughest, more in the tedium, than physically, as is often the case in laps. The last lap went by quickly, but I was glad to finish, another event completed!