Cheddar Gorge 10k Race Report 😀

[cheekychipmunks]

I’ll try to be brief (I’ll *try*) 😜

The faffing started early. It was raining, fairly hard. Shorts or capris, teeshirt, vest, jacket or no jacket?

I plumped for shorts and a teeshirt, intending to start off with my jacket, as the rain got ever heavier. 💦 On the short drive to Cheddar my wipers switched from normal to double speed. 💦💦💦 😳

I sat in the car to contemplate matters, then collected my ankle tag (no not 👮‍♀️, but no chips on the numbers), number and park & ride wristband. Still raining so I sheltered back in the car. Waited until the last moment to brave the elements, and trusted the forecast that it would clear up. Lots of others were still wrapped up, but I danced around jacketless, and met my friend, whilst waiting for the briefing by the wisecrack Relish man! The look of horror by some unsuspecting victims when he said we’d shortly be walking to our bus who’d drop us at the bottom so we could run up! 😅

And the rain stopped! 🙏. I felt happy with my choice of clothing. A shortish walk to the lane where we were let loose.

The first 2.5k is up and down - not insignificant ups either, but short enough to keep going happily. There was a deeeeeep puddle at 500m where we ground to a halt as people walked through. I’d have run it personally as I love puddles, but I had no choice but to go with the herd. 🙄 A few more undulations then we turned onto the Cheddar Gorge road. To be fair, it’s basically flat for about 2.5k more, then whoosh, down we hurtled! It’s such fun 😅 My little legs had no clue what they were doing, so I just concentrated on not falling flat on my face, especially on the last km where it’s very steep indeed!

My watched measured 9.93k so I trotted on beyond the finish to get the important 10k logged, collected my jigsaw medal (it’s bling, I don’t care!), Mini Cheddars (wisecrack guy mentioned those of course) and some sweeties.

A very long wait for our bus, but who cares? We were all chatting away merrily. Love running people.

1:14:23 according to my watch - my 3rd fastest 10k apparently and a whopping 4 minutes off last year, when my virus was just taking hold. Edited to add the the official time was 1:14:12, taking into account my rounding up I suppose. 😀

I recommend this one to anyone in the West Country. It’s the best fun!

Sorry about the dismal failure to keep this short. I simply can’t. 🥹

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

sounds wonderful, I love downhill running. Eagerly awaiting picture of bling.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Maybe you should give it a go one day Shake-and-run ? It’s a bit different and the downhill bit is a real treat! 😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Sounds like a great run Cheeky. A drop of rain never hurt anyone; I prefer that to searing heat. A whole 4 minutes off last year is brilliant too. All toned up and set to go for the GSR….🏎️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh me too Beachcomber66 In fact I wouldn’t have minded if the rain had started again after the hilly bits; it would have been really refreshing.

I was pleasantly surprised with the time. I do have one more race before the GSR however - the Cardiff HM in 2 weeks’ time. It’ll be a trot, nothing more, as my training has been non-existent!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

HM is a warm up for the real thing.

Week 13 NRC speed run (30 minutes of intervals) for me today. Much cooler weather was a big help. 8k planned for Monday, so getting there gradually.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

So happy to hear you’re back on track again. I take it you’ve had no recurrence of the dizziness? 🤞

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

No sign of it CC 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞. Famous last words, but I am feeling really well generally…..best since pre 11 September 2021.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

We don’t want a short post, we want to hear it all. 😂 I was so feeling for you when I saw what the weather was like in Bristol . Better than too hot though.

Lovely that you met up with Ellie too.

That’s a brilliant time . I always say on tourist parkruns that you’ve got to take full advantage of downhills!

Well done for getting the full 10k in , I would have done the same.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Just as well you like long posts Dexy5 ! I find it impossible to be concise (you might have noticed!) 😅

I agree about preferring rain to too hot, It would have been quite nice during the run, as it got fairly warm in the end.

I was very happy with my time. Ellie ran it in 51 minutes! 💥

[Bluebirdrunner]

Weeeeeee!

Well run Cheeky, did you pick up some cheese while you were there?😋

Sounds like you really enjoyed that, and that is a brilliant time too.

🏃‍♀️👌🏅🧀xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Bluebirdrunner . It felt wonderful freewheeling down the steep part at the end!

No cheese for me today, although of course there are multiple shops in Cheddar claiming theirs is the best! 😅

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Glad you enjoyed your run today and very happy that the rain went off, congratulations on completing the Cheddar Gorge 10K in a sub 75 minutes time, you look very happy in that photograph with Jenny

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you AlMorr , it’s not often I run that fast and my legs didn’t know what was happening to them!

That’s not my daughter Jenny with me in the photo. She’s a choir friend of mine called Ellie. She’s quick - she ran the race in 51 minutes today!

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

O dear I boobed again thinking that was Jenny with you in that photograph, sorry, 51 minutes for a 10K is a dream for me and you cheekychipmunks, I can cycle it in that time but certainly not run it.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Haha don’t worry Al, my post was so long it’s not surprising you missed that! 😅 Indeed, 51 minutes is never going to be in my future (not counting you out though!) She was very pleased with it. 💥

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

👍 🏃🏾 1:08:44 is my PB for a 10K, that happened in November 2021, I have only ran 4 sub 70 minute 10Ks, the most recent being 1:09:22 two weeks ago tomorrow with a 70 minute pacer Lorraine who helped me to achieve that time, by the way Lorraine was at parkrun this morning, I managed to follow her for most of the run.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

That’s a great PB Al. Quicker than mine by several minutes. Today was my 3rd quickest according to Strava, my other two faster ones being 1:13 something.

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

👍 🏃🏾 Excellent ✔️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks 😀

[misswobble Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I noticed her running tights. I’ve got a vest in the same fabric 😁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

They’re very jolly aren’t they misswobble ? I have to admit I’m a bit of a boring plain black (or navy) leggings wearer, but I do like bright tops. I do have a pair covered in cats though, which I wore for my 100th parkrun! 🐈‍⬛

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Fantastic report, very well done cheekychipmunks ! 😊💪🏃‍♀️xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks so much aliboo70 , it’s a race where you can’t help but smile. I forgot to mention the goats grazing on the edge of the gorge too - they were wonderful! 🐐

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon]

Aww lovely write up, and pic! Well done!!🥉🥉

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Thanks Hedgehogs123 . It would have been great to stop to take some photos too, but my legs don’t often go fast and I didn’t want to break the rare momentum! 😅

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Hooray great time Cheeky! I'm so glad you did it again and enjoyed it so much! 🎉 well done!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

It would be lovely if you came back to run it again one year Cowladyrunning ! It wasn’t as warm as last year, which definitely helped me. 🙏

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fabulous! What fun ... again! And what a difference in time. Go you 👏 👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks linda9389 , I was telling my friend I’d be content with 1:15, thinking there’d be no way I’d achieve that after my recent lack of proper running, so I surprised myself with surpassing that! 🙏

[misswobble Marathon]

Great job Cheeky! That sounds like proper fun 😀🏃‍♀️👍🏅

So glad the rain cleared off for you 😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks  misswobble , it’s just so much fun. Last year was their inaugural one and they had so much positive feedback it’s now firmly on Relish’s calendar of events. 😀

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

That sounds great fun! Well done 👍 maybe I should give out a go 🤔 I prefer a bit of rain, don’t like it hot. I’m running a 10k Canicross event tomorrow - yellow warning for thunder & lightning ⚡️ !!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Oh you must skysue16 , definitely worth the trip. 😀

I wonder how wet you were/still are today? Hopefully you avoided what we currently have here …… 💦💦💦💦 Bet it was fun nonetheless, and I can’t wait to read your race report.

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Torrential rain, thunder & lightning and severe flooding here in West Somerset!! Got ready, dressed, dog organised then driving in the crazy weather decided to turn round and go home. A few mad folk did run though! Report will be short 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Oh what a shame SS. Darned weather. You no doubt made the right choice though, and there will be a next time. 😀

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to skysue16]

That's a real pity about the weather skysue16 . Good decision though, there's no way I'd run in thunder and lightning, especially with a dog.

[lexi6 10 Miles]

lovely race Cheeky and what a great time. That looks like so much fun!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Thanks lexi6 . I must admit I surprised myself with that time. I’d told my friend I’d be happy with 1:15, thinking fat chance I’d achieve that. I felt great yesterday and just went for it! 🙏

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

That was a lovely race report there cheeky and I enjoyed reading it. I still love puddles too but I’m very precious with my running shoes so used to actively avoid them. How sad is that? 😂 That’s a a very respectable time too so well done. PS I have long post syndrome too so fully sympathise. 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Not sad at all RunBrianRun ! Shoes are expensive (yours probably way more so than mine!), and I’m precious about mine when they’re new too. Not for long though, and I love a good splosh! 😅

I’m relieved people seem to not mind my long posts. I do try to rein myself in, but even my quick replies go on a bit! Your posts are something else, and worthy of reading more than once! Love them. 👏👏

[Folkylass]

Congratulations on a great race and a super time! Your posts are always a joy to read so no apologies please. Lovely happy photo too. Thanks for sharing.👍👍👏👏🥳🥳🎉🎉🥰

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Folkylass]

Aww thanks so much Folkylass , I’m glad you don’t mind my waffling! The race was fabulous. 😀

[Folkylass in reply to cheekychipmunks]

👍🥰🥰

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

Sounds like a fantastic run Cheeky. I might have to think about doing it one year especially as I’m a cheese-aholic and would of course need to stay in the area for a few days 🤷🏼‍♀️🧀😋. Congratulations on the fast time too 👌🏻

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

Please do Mudita11 . You’d love it, and there’s obviously cheese a’plenty to be had in the village! 🧀

Thanks, I’m chuffed with that time too. 🙏

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Not long at all Munks and very entertaining! Did you do the aeroplane arms going downhill? 😂

That sounds like a lot of fun 🤗 Well done for another piece of bling and for your time improvement.

And what a great photo, you both look so happy 😃 was that before or after?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Hahaha, I daren’t do aeroplane arms Irishprincess , I needed all my limbs to be under control at the end as it was ridiculously steep! Falling flat on my face over the finish line wouldn’t have been a good look! 😅

The photo was before. Believe it or not that’s how bedraggled I looked just picking up my number and popping to the loos! 😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Not looking bedraggled at all!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

You’re too kind IP, but I really was! 😅

[Jackapoodle Half Marathon]

This sounds such a fun race and a that's a great time you ran it in. I wonder what those goats made of it all? 🤔 they always seem to be stood in strange places, just chomping away 😄

Well done, and a lovely photo

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Jackapoodle]

Thanks Jackapoodle ! I’m happily surprised with my time. Very quick for me.

Yes the goats were perched on the cliff edge. So cute! 🐐❤️

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Goodness me, I've seen your post several times and read it twice, didn't realise I hadn't said how in awe I am at your speedy time. And you look simply full of glee. And of course now I want to do that....you make it sound such fun

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks SueAppleRun , it was quick - for me - and I’m very pleased, especially compared to last year’s effort.

I’d definitely recommend it - so if you fancy coming one year (maybe with Mudita11 who expressed an interest too), that would be such fun! 😀

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

I think we might well do maybe next year 😁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yay! 👏👏👏

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Wot no real cheese Cheeky? ! Mini-Cheddars are no substitute!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

You do have a point there JonathanP ; they should give out little cubes of cheese for the runners! Cheddar is awash with cheese shops - no surprise there! I must say though, I do enjoy a Mini Cheddar! 😅

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Sounds great fun!!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

It was Week7 . Highly recommended. 😀