This beautiful setting, right on our doorstep and a 10k for a local charity, meant TailChaser , Katnap and I had no hesitation about putting in an entry for the Walton Hall 10k trail run. Advertised as ‘mainly cross-country and off road’ we anticipated slow speeds and amazing views. In the days leading up to the event we received several warnings from the organisers that the trail would be muddy, so we elected to wear trail shoes for the event. At registration we were advised of route change, but to be honest at that late stage, I didn’t really take any notice, after all we were there and ready to run so it wasn’t really going to make much difference.
I started in the middle of the pack and we set off across the lawn where mindful of rabbit holes and slightly up hill, I was soon out of breath. We crossed on to a farm track and I realised I was battling with a ‘toxic 10’. As I started to get my breath we reached the bottom of a steep hill. There was no option but to walk as it was very muddy and my passage forward was blocked by others who were gingerly picking their way around the ruts in the track and the worse of the mud (to be honest had it been bone dry and smooth, I would probably still have walked as it was quite steep). At the top a kind gentleman was giving a hand to help us up the last almost vertical and very slippy bit.
Now deep in the wood the sight of masses of bluebells was stunning. The trail had levelled out but was still muddy. My trail shoes were doing an amazing job and I found a bit of space and was able to trot on at a reasonable pace. Friendly marshals were encouraging and at about 3k the trail turned to head down the hill and the marshal warned us to take it steady as it was steep. It was still muddy but my trusty trail shoes (Salomon Speedcross) were keeping my feet dry and providing grip.
With some relief, as running on muddy trails is energy sapping, I emerged out of the wood and on to the tarmac road (driveway to the venue). At about 4k there was the turning for those doing 5k. I was tempted! But it was sunny and although my legs were tired from running through the mud I was determined to keep going. It is a long undulating drive and now clear of trees I realised it was also very warm and I wished I had brought some water with me. I took it steady with a few walking breaks and was delighted to be directed off road onto a lovely, mostly flat (if still a bit muddy) path. It was a short section and I negotiated some bridges and gates before arriving in the village and back onto a tarmac road. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the end of the cross-country running the remaining 3.5k was all on tarmac.
My trail shoes are solid firm shoes with big lugs on the soles, ideal for muddy trails, but sadly very uncomfortable on hard surfaces. Very soon my calves hurt, my hamstrings were sore and the soles of my feet were aching. I walked a bit and then ran a bit more, but the walks were getting longer and the runs shorter, it was very unpleasant and I longed to be back in the muddy wood. With 0.5k to go a Marshall directed me through gates back into the grounds of the venue. Still on tarmac I crossed over the decorative park bridge (wondering if this was the work of Capability Brown???) and with determination struck out for the finish line. I could hear Tailchaser shouting my name and encouraged by her, found a little bit more to sprint for the line.
It was done and there was a medal around my neck. Katnap helped me to a bottle of water and I started to stretch out my leg muscles. We discussed the challenges of the route and concluded that the shoe choice was the right one (ordinary road shoes would have been a nightmare in the woods). If only we’d had a Soigneur at the 4k point with a change of shoes!
A ten mile trail tale
June 10k - oops 11k!
New shoes (belated birthday) 🥳
And we thought that was the top of the hill 
