Had a txt from my mate at 12.30 today that said he entered the 100 for £209
1 Like
So yesterday Jan and I did the Fox challenge; run by Big Bear Events. A nice little company who put on a number of low key ultras in the Midlands area; not very expensive either. This race is lapped with each lap just over 5k. The idea is to run as far as you can in 6hrs.
To be honest I didn’t think I would make it to the start line. I managed to damage my right meniscus in early January and effectively had two months off. The knee still gives me a little trouble but it is manageable. I still hope to do the back yard ultra in June so this was a test that really I had to do. I set my self the target of 10 laps, so around 51K, in under the 6 hour mark.
The course is around a reservoir, entirely trail, with only a couple of small gradients. The forecast was not good and about 2.5 hours in I was congratulating myself on how lucky I was as we had had no rain; and then the heavens opened. It was really miserable from that point onwards. The strong wind blowing over the water didn’t help either.
So Jan got a lead on me until about lap 4 when I was almost with her. I overtook on lap 5 and I don’t think we saw each other at all after that. Anyway I did my 10 laps (officially 50.8K) in 5:53; which was a negative split. I was really wet and cold and was hoping to see Jan so we could leg it back to car. However they informed me that she had gone out for her 10th lap (you are allowed to start a lap as long as it is within the 6 hours). I knew she wasn’t going to stop at 9; so a wet and cold 20 minute wait ensued.
When Jan finished and collected her medal my walk back to the car was not very pretty: Jan had to keep waiting for me! However very happy to have that in my legs. I would recommend the race and all the others that Big Bear put on (and you get a bottle of bear with a homemade flapjack at the end). Just pick a nicer day for when you do it. 
13 Likes
Well done @sparky, hope the knee gets better for BYU. Most importantly, did you use ‘the line’ when you had to wait for her? 
2 Likes
ah well done to you both. That does sound like fun.
3 Likes
How are you feeling @p00key ?
3 Likes
I am a lot better thanks - its taken another week to feel human again .
I have entered SDW100 so I can put all this training to use . Will run with @tunster hopefully.
How are you feeling now ?
7 Likes
That’s good to hear, I checked the Centurion website a few days ago and was amazed to see that SDW100 was still open!
I’m not sure how I am really. Getting something back after my big fall last week and that was on top of the knee and back injury, so it’s been a bit rubbish.
I tested myself at Parkrun today though and that seemed ok, so hopeful for a slow finish at BWR 50km on Monday 
I’d love to take my spot at SDW but it seems a bit futile TBH. 
4 Likes
See how you get on next week - no point taking one step forward and two back. if you can get 4 solid weeks of training in that may help - but I wouldn’t feel bad if you could not start .
2 Likes
Well done to you both 
1 Like
Been following the Thames Path folks all day - looking forward to SDW
Just need to get my ass in gear and do some training 
6 Likes
Good luck FP, have fun 
Looks like everyone is wearing Speedgoats in the background!
1 Like
Huge congratulations FP 
Well done for persevering though all your aches and pains
1 Like
Well done FP - how is the knee?
1 Like
Good work!
1 Like
Brilliant well done
1 Like
Excellent @FatPom! Kudos!
1 Like
Top work fella
1 Like