The Vasty Fields of France

[Shake-and-run]

Shakespeare’s ‘vasty fields of France’ were very very soggy on Sunday morning and it was still raining when I joined the Eymet Running Club for their Sunday run. However there was no wind and the temperature was pleasant, perfect for the HU Spring 10k. The group had been invited to join ‘Trails and Vines’ (a small family business offering running holidays, to mainly brits, in areas where you can also enjoy good food and local wines - you will find them on Facebook) for their chatty social run, so we were in Ribagnac at a lovely gite complex surrounded by vineyards and a lot of undulations!

We started off with a significant down, on road, that was promptly followed by a significant up, then we left the road and headed into the vines. The heavy rain this area has put up with since October had left the tracks rutted, muddy and challenging with big puddles. Everyone was going steady. It was still undulating but I managed to keep going and the group kindly waited for me at junctions so I didn’t get lost. Lots of poppies and a glimpse of Chateau de Bridore reminded me I was in France. Back on the road we finished with those significant down and ups we had started with. The run was short of 10k so a couple of lengths of the drive were needed to make up the distance, a few of the other runners joined me and cheered me over the line.

Sadly I was unable to stay for coffee and cake and enjoy the ambiance and terrific company of my fellow runners. I had a lunch date at the ‘Chasse Banquet’ (a marathon of food and drink at our local village hall where I managed to win a side of venison in the raffle!!).

It was a good day, despite the rain and the mud. My elapsed time was 1:23.24 , not too shabby given the conditions and I managed to run up most of the hills.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

Well done, that DOES look challenging! A great time in those conditions. xx

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thank you Curlygurly, this a beautiful part of the world, even in the rain, but flat it is not.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

I had a place at Cordes Sur Ciel, near Albi for 20 years, did C2K there, there was nothing at all that was flat, either up or down but no flat! Cambridge is like a pancake, I rather miss the inclines!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Great run for you in France, congratulations on completing the Healthunlocked Spring 10K in a nice time of 1:23:24, you deserve a medal 🥉 ✔️ Shake-and-run

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

Thank you AlMorr, medal is already ordered!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Well done Shakes; a tough run but you were even tougher!! Based on a limited sample, hills and France seem to go together. But we know how to deal with them; to climb steep hills requires slow pace at first….. that is true of me anyway!!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC. A good friend has been coaching me on hill running. She also advocates a slow pace with short strides. I was worried as I think I can walk quicker but she says it is important to run, even if it is below walking pace as it ‘teaches’ the right muscles what to do. Anyway I seem to be having some success with it.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

I have been doing the same over the past six weeks or so. I had to walk 3 of the peaks to start with, but I can run them all now. The legs seem to catch on quite quickly.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That was a tough 10k Shakes. Huge well done on conquering the mud and the hills in such a good time. A marathon of food and drink sounds like a great post run reward 😍

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda, it was a lovely way to meet a nice bunch of runners, even if I was a little out of breath to make proper conversation 🤣

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

😍😍😍

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

That sounds adventurous and a great place to do your 10k😊well done! X

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Thanks Aliboo, I enjoy running in France, but it is very challenging. The undulations, the heat (in the summer months) and the fact that most of the Eymet Running Group are faster than me. However the scenery is breathtaking, the people are wonderful and the coffee and pastries delicious xx

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a lovely place to do this run, even with the mud ruts and puddles, well done you

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

Thank you Sue, it was delightful x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Woohoo Shakes, what a run! Sounds like you really had a fabulous time! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Thanks Cheeky, I enjoyed it.

[misswobble Marathon]

I have visions of you hauling the venison home on your shoulder, whistling all the way. I hope it was good! 🤤

Sounds like the perfect end to the day. What fun 😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

🤣🤣

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

It was quite big and frozen. Hubby cut it up with an electric saw and it is now in a neighbours freezer.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

A man and his Black and Decker! 💪😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

That’s a nice reward for your hard work S&R! Venison in the raffle 😋

Sounds a nice run with good teamwork and support along the way 🙂 Well done.

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

Thanks IP. Once the excitement of actually winning something had worn off (took a while, alcohol had been flowing all afternoon) I then had the challenge of what to do with it 🤣🤣😳

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

🤣🤣

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Wow! I know the post is mainly about running but wow! to winning a side of venison!!! Have you space for it? Well done on your run in foreign parts with the Eymet Running Club

😊🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻😊

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you. It’s still in a neighbours freezer. I’m hoping she will ‘deal’ with it and I just get to eat it.