The Snodsbury Scramble, a trail run of a little more than 10k, was not as wild as Shakespeare had Burgandy describe the countryside, but it was a tough run and a big challenge for me. My experience of running trails is very limited but I have been trying to learn to take shorter strides and keep my weight balanced over my feet. This friendly village event was mostly off road with long grass, ploughed fields, stony, rutted lanes, dark woodland and very uneven ground. There were wobbly stiles, bridges, gates and hunt jumps to negotiate as well. The lovely Marshals were friendly and encouraging but it was also very warm. Lots to think about.
I set off towards the back of about 85 runners and the pack disappeared up the road in a matter of moments, but there were others behind me, I did overtake 2 people and never saw the tail runner. I practiced my off-road techniques and managed to get about 2.5k into the run when the field I was in was very uneven underneath the long grass. I could feel my ankles twisting and felt very insecure. I dropped down to a walk. I negotiated a very wobbly stile and stayed in walk along the narrow edge of a ploughed field until it moved across on to the dirt. It too was very uneven and soft to run on. This was how the run progressed with me running when I could and walking when I didn’t feel safe, all punctuated with more stiles and narrow wooden ditch bridges (definitely can’t run over those). It was hard to find a rhythm but I was making progress. Just over half way was a drink stop and I stood in the shade to drink my water then got back on the trail. Running on these different surfaces was very tiring and the heat was also playing a part, but I kept going and eventually crossed the line to receive my cute wooden medal. Not my fastest by a long shot, but I felt like I had achieved something.
I learned a lot today, which is a good thing as I have another trail run to do later in the year!
Written by
Shake-and-run
Half Marathon
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Lots of common sense there Shakes! Disaster lurking at every turn. That sounds like rough ground rather than a trail. Good for strengthening provided you don’t get injured in the process🙄. Safely done, bling in the bag; good job 👍
Well done Shake-and-run - that sounds like a tough trail and I think you were wise to take it easy on some of that terrain. However, you did it - in the heat - and have some lovely bling as a reward! 🏅👏🙂
Sounds like you were very sensible with this race Shakes. Trails are very tricky and tiring as you have to have your wits about you all the time. Really well done 👍👏👏
Sounds a tricky one Shakes. Great job tackling it with caution and respecting the terrain. Trail running is significantly slower than road running and it was certainly warm today!
Thanks. Every day’s a learning day Linda. You were right about the ‘ish’ as those last 340 metres were a bit tough. Once I got to 10k my legs thought they were done. Still it is better than having to run round the field after the line because your watch says you have not done enough.
Official finish line photo. I can now confirm that I was 80th out of 85 runners and 33rd out of 37 females. My official time for the run of 10.34kms was 1 hour 33 mins.
Looks like a fab place to run. Hard, rutted soil is ‘orrible though, especially if cows have roughed it up 😫. I love the off-road adventures and traffic-free spaces 🥰.
I started on the trails with C25k as I didn’t want to be seen so headed into the woods 🥷🌲🌿🪵🌳🍂🍁. It’s a mixed bag out on the trails as there’s so many surfaces, but it’s fun more often than not
Thanks katnap, at the half way point I was wondering what on earth I was doing there and ‘enjoyment’ was not in my vocabulary, but once done and on reflection , I did, enjoy it, perhaps it was just the relief of getting it done!!
Is that Upton Snodsbury, ShakeandRun? I love the name Snodsbury Scramble and it really does sound like it was a scramble. Well done for scrambling through and taking it carefully!! 👏 😃
My sister's and I used to go to a stables there when we were young. Fond memories. Having said that, I spent a lot of the time on the ground, having parted company from the pony 🙃 !
Sorry for taking so long to read your post Shakes. That sounds a real challenge, but would also have been a good learning experience. You must have to be really careful on that terrain, so well done you!
That sounds tough! I'm no stranger to rough tracks through fields and I think you were sensible to slow down! Well done for doing it and I like how you applied all you learned too ready for your next trail.
Thanks Cow Lady. I did feel very privileged as we were running over private land. In some fields the crops were still there, in others the hay was cut but not whirlygiged, one field was ploughed and another baled. The farmer was working in one field as the runners trotted through , I made sure to give him a wave. It’s been a tough year for farmers and they are so busy literally making hay while the sun shines. It was so generous of the land owners to agree to us being there.
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