Round Rotherham Race. 50 Miles

[jodg]

How the mind plays tricks - although I feel physically broken I'm convinced that I enjoyed it! The fab technical T-shirt and knowlege that I got round helps as well.

It was the furthest race I've done and tough in the sense that you need to keep the tempo up. No hills or heather bashing to get some respite on and slow down the revs.

A disasterous route choice in the opening section cost a gaggle of us (how apt!) a good 15mins. And despite a spurt in the last 2K I couldn't quite break sub-8 hrs.

Great to meet fellow nutters and run around with some of you - thanks for the company Ollie, Basil, ChrisH and Datt (who paced the last two stages on his fresh legs).

[jodg]

Do you think he can squeeze in a BG before he goes down under?????

It's tempting but I'd have to be dragged round a mid-winter attempt!!! :w00t:

[karen nash]

yes the mind is odd.
After 2 hours I had convinced myself that I had had more than enough. An injury hurt, I couldn't run and felt very low and sorry for myself. After another hour of harsh words to self and a few paracetamol (i need something stronger) I persuaded myself I could not quit. Could not return home and tell the kids I has whimped out, had driven andspent to night in Rotherham to dnf.... It did help finding Colm and latching on to him- he knew the way and every time he ran I tried to (and visa versa) We got round. It wasn't pretty but I glad I kept trying. Most comical bit of day was trying to duck under the white barriers at the baorded up pub- nearly ended up on floor.
Next Year??? a bit too flat, urban, tarmac etc It let me try to go to fast and no time to stiomp up hills or fly down through the mud.

[jodg]

Most comical bit of day was trying to duck under the white barriers at the baorded up pub- nearly ended up on floor.

That bit was EXCRUCIATING!!! Didn't know if should vault over, limbo or crawl. As it turns out I was in no state to do the former so kind of got under. Ouch!

Karen - did I pass you on the road section in the Rother Valley park?

[karen nash]

yes that was my low point- before pain killers and the stiff talking to. was virtually in tears of pain and frustration. Nearly called it a day.

[jodg]

yes that was my low point- before pain killers and the stiff talking to. was virtually in tears of pain and frustration. Nearly called it a day.

All power to you for digging in and keeping going!

[Basil]

That bit was EXCRUCIATING!!! Didn't know if should vault over, limbo or crawl. As it turns out I was in no state to do the former so kind of got under. Ouch!

Karen - did I pass you on the road section in the Rother Valley park?

Me too. Let out a real yell on both those barriers. The hamstrings at the back of the legs went "ping" when I bent over

[Don't fear the sweeper]

I've done RR two and four fifth times now, and still I get lost - near the end when my mind turns to mush. After the tunnel under the railway I found myself at a station realising I'd have to go onto the platform to cross the bridge. Just then I heard shouts and saw runners down to my left. I scrambled down a steep bank and one of them fielded me so that I didn't end up in the canal. Then close to the end I crossed the field to bushes and was heartened to see tape showing the way. Trouble was, it had been tampered with, and I shambled downhill with bare legs on a trod through nettles followed by a narrow path between an industrial fence and a vegetated pond. Slowly it dawned on me that (1) there hadn't been any tape for the last 100 metres and (2) a couple of hundred runners would have made a wider path than this. Back to the last tape, turn left, like the strip map told me to, and there was the finishing path. Duh!

Thanks to John Vernon and Henry Marsten for company and navigational help!

[Don't fear the sweeper]

Did anyone else see the fridge in the river?

[jodg]

Did anyone else see the fridge in the river?

Missed that gem! Was too busy concentrating on where I was going....