I plucked up my courage( after spending hours looking for it!) and joined a headlamp( as in torch attached to you head) lit "run" from Clay Bank up to the Wainstones in North Yorkshire. The sky was clear, there was no light pollution, other than ours, so we ran under a wonderful starlit canopy. This was a trail run like I have never tried before. Garmin puts the elevation gain at 193 metres. We ran over and between rocks and through ankle deep mud. Of course the up slopes were formidable. My car gauge put the temperature at 3c. We walked much of the 5k, some of the terrain just wasn't suitable for running, other bits were just too steep. When we got to the top there were steep falls about 12 feet to our left. Thankfully we were very well looked after. These people know what they are doing. My trail shoes are now brown. Running it wasn't, for the most part, but it was a very special experience with lovely people. Just made me realise what these off road runners put themselves through. Different animals! Somehow I think that sleep will come easily tonight!
And now for something completely different! - Bridge to 10K
And now for something completely different!
What a fantastic experience, thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks GTB. I am so glad I tried. Definitely not an every week thing for me, but just a glimpse of a different dimension to running.
You have been having fun beachcomber. Well done you for trying something completely different. Very chilly too. ❄️
I tried to pull a gaitor over my mouth and nose but only succeeded in steaming up my specs! Not a good idea!
Impressive and sound like something that’s fun after it’s over
Exactly; nice warm glow now I am home and fed! .Average heart rate was quite low, because of the walking, but breathing was tough on the steepest parts; touch of asthma because of the cold I think.
Wow that sounds like an amazing experience! I have seen those brilliant trail runners on TV, which looks like a running form of mountain climbing to me! 😲🤩 I note the 193 elevation, so that seems about right. Well done to you for going for it!! And who knows, you might become a regular trail runner. Enjoy the rest! ❤️
I think I am about 30 years too late to be a trail runner Fab! Great to get a glimpse into their world though.
Oh...🤗 That would be me too! 😁! ❤️
I went running in the dark last night, but just around the roads in our village and it does feel quite different. Add in trails and mud and it must have been quite a different experience. Nice one!
Well done Sandie! A rare sighting of a deer as I drove to the car park also added a bit. There is no way I would have gone up there on my own though; short cut to disaster😊
Good point that the group, well led, let you safely try something very new and different.
And the guidance was done so subtly. Just people carefully in the right place at the right time; no instructions needed. Very well done.
Sounds quite exhilarating BC - if tiring! 😀
Up early this morning!! Got a bit of an ankle twinge this morning. Not surprising given the number of stumbles and conditions under foot. Probably got off lightly. Swimming morning, so hopefully that will loosen things up. So glad I did it, but I would need to think through another similar adventure. I concede very little to age, but the terrain made demands not usually encountered on legs and arms during your average Park Run 😊
Sounds fascinating as a one off. 😊 If they do it regularly, I wonder if there are implications for the local wildlife.... 🤔. I know night running is not encouraged here in the New Forest because of the (unintentional) effects on, for example, ground roosting birds.
Wow Beachcomber66 , sounds like a wonderful experience and one that will stay with you for a while?! I'm sure the brown trainers are well worth the sacrifice?! X
Will be once they are clean!! It was wonderful being out in the wilds under the stars⭐️✨
Sounds fab! I’ve had the new trail shoes out for a test walk up Captain Cook’s this morning. Knee good so far. Can’t wait for a bit of trail. We’re lucky to live so close to the moors! Was it with Let’s Run?
Yes. I just saw it on their web site and turned up. Felt a bit out of my depth of course, but everyone was really kind.
Great shop and great staff. Shelli did The Spine Race in January and so far has raised over £30k for CALM after losing her partner to suicide - they ran the shop together. He fitted my first running shoes. She’s a machine. She was first lady in Hardmoors 200 I think 😱
I bought my first pair of shoes from him just the week before. Really nice guy. The shop is brilliant.
So sad. He was such a nice man. She lost another close friend a couple of weeks back - same thing. You probably heard anyway.
Wowee BC66, you were brave 👏
I think running on the streets is bad enough in the dark 😳
Very well done, you thrill seeker you 😁
Not at all brave. I knew that I was in very good hands. Seasoned ultra runners don't mess about (otherwise they don't live long enough to become seasoned!). I wanted to gather intelligence on access to the moors, state of the Cleveland Way, terrain etc. I managed the latter at close quarters by falling over in the mud twice, but I wasn't alone in that. Just a great experience. 😊
sounds great and a whole new experience 
Well done... may not all have been running, but sounds like an excellent workout to me.
Oh it was UNM. Upper body too (especially picking myself up 😊).
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