I’m all behind like the donkey’s tail with my report, sorry about that, and sorry you have another to read about the New Forest Marathon…. and it is a bit of a saga!!
I visited the New Forest as a small child and was excited to be returning to this magical place with its ponies, deer and beautiful trees. I was tempted by Sandie1961 to go camping for the weekend and Mr Shakes agreed to us hiring a campervan (far too old for tents!!). So Friday teatime we were parking up on the field next to Sandie’s pitch and trying to work out how to put up an awning. Later, a lovely 2 mile walk through trees and open common, past cattle and ponies, brought us to the village and a fish and chip supper.
Saturday morning and the weather was overcast but bikes had been brought and a 8k route plotted to get us to the Brockenhurst Parkrun. It was mostly trails and a bit of a hill but we arrived on time for the start. Sandie was running but, given we had 8k to ride back, I opted to join Mr S and Mr Shake walking the route. The forest was as beautiful as I remembered with magical scenery. Back at the campsite Mr S. made the most delicious bacon and egg rolls, yummy! Rain was forecast so we opted for a bit of sightseeing at an interesting museum at Lyndhurst, where I learned more about forest life past and present. Very excited to find local connections to Alice in Wonderland and Sherlock Holmes. The rain arrived in bucket loads so we swapped plans for another walk to supper for a taxi ride. Supper was shared with more VRBs, Dexy5 , UpTheStanley , cheekychipmunks and David_G .
There was more heavy rain in the night (not that I noticed as I was fast asleep, but it kept others awake and leaked into the van to dampen the corner of our bedding). Over in the event village there was much activity as things were getting underway. We were due to meet up with more VRBs, but at the allotted time the heavens opened and Sandie and I retreated to the cover of Motor homes and awnings. After about 15 mins it eased to a steady downpour. We grabbed waterproof jackets and headed over. We met most the gang from the previous evening (David was warming up for his HM) and the lovely Mudita11 and aliboo70 and managed a quick soggy-looking pre-race photo. Soon we had discarded jackets and were doing star jumps in our warm up. This was not a good time to notice I was missing my knee supports but I had recently wondered if I could run without them so it looked as though I was about to find out. I started with Sandie, but I soon realised it was a bit optimistic as she disappeared into the crowd. The first ten minutes was super-scary. I was caught up in a crush of bodies as they jumped across me from left, from right or stopped dead as they tried to negotiate the huge puddles on the course. It was pointless, our feet were already soaked, I just went straight on. I was much relieved as things started to thin out and I eventually found space. At 3k I was heartened by the Blues Brothers (Jake and Elwood) in full costume singing their heart out. Signs were funny, ‘watch out for bears’, ‘do not feed the marshals’. I ran the first 5k, then walked a short uphill section to a tarmac road. Well, you have to run on tarmac don’t you? My next walk break was at 7k and another at 8.5k. I was starting to tire just before the 9k sign when Dexy came past me, then I passed her on her walk break. The show ground was in sight but I was spent, I was struggling when Dexy came past again ‘come on, you’ve got this!’ She called and I found a little more. I could not match her sprint to the line but I got there. (1hr 21 mins, given the conditions and my current training level, I was happy). Knees were fine.
Collecting bling, T-shirt and goodies and eating a banana I started to feel better. Seeing the VRBs again and having post run photos was just wonderful. The sun came out and I danced to the music in the event village (Adrenalin was obviously kicking in)!! Back on the camp site, a lovely hot shower, a bar-B-Q with friends and beautiful blue skies ended a perfect (well apart from the rain) weekend.
Written by
Shake-and-run
Half Marathon
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What a fun packed weekend you had! I'm surprised there was any energy left for a run! Congratulations on ducking and weaving and wading through the puddles to get to the finish line. Great news on the knee supports too 😊
You were always going to remember your weekend in the forest anyway, but the rain will have left an indelible print on your mind!! Just a lovely group of people with whom to share time. The run was incidental, but you ran well in any event 🙂
What an adventure you had Shakes, and what brilliant timing to be at the Brockenhurst parkrun on the first day of their winter course. It’s on our hot list of parkruns to do. I’m sure you would have been a bit bored going around the college grounds on the summer course.
It was lovely to come across you on my 10k route and I’m glad it helped you to see me there. I dislike that polo field intensely, whatever the weather and conditions!
Lots of photo credits to Mr Shakes of course.
The New Forest is a beautiful setting isn’t it? We just love it there, whatever time of year.
Thanks Dexy, I wore my peaked cap to keep the rain off my glasses, I did spoil my view a bit, that and needing to watch my step on the uneven surfaces. The forest is a truly beautiful place, I imagine that in a few weeks it will be an amazing array of colour.
A tough run this one. I did the HM last year (we stayed in Christchurch - beautiful!). The day before we were in a heatwave. The day of it rained - and I am thankful for that, as I am not someone who likes to run in the heat.However, the route is beautiful and I didnt have puddles to negotiate, but boy did I struggle. I walked more than I ran. I even shed a tear at the end.
However, my prep was lousy, so I cant blame the forest entirely.
I enjoyed your post though, it took mr back, especially to the lovely Lyndhurst and their museum. Did you also see the ferari showroom at the end of the high st. I wonder.
Thanks Floss. The Forest of Arden was much in my thoughts as I ran, although I was more in the humour of Jacques than Touchstone, working my way through the seven ages of man. Just glad I didn’t get as far as ‘sans teeth…’.
One thing I love about your reports Shakes is the variety and reporting of so many interesting observations! I did have to read the bit about the delicious bacon and egg rolls a few times though just to tease my taste buds 😋
And I love that “do not feed the marshals” 🤣 Surely that would bring a smile to anyone.
Well done on what sounds a pretty tough course with horrible conditions but you met up with your VRBs and got a fab looking medal, so all is good ❤️
Thanks IP, the bling is quite weighty and the T-shirt and a buff (black with the Garmin logo) nice too. We also had some ‘special’ sun cream (does not run so won’t get in your eyes) and you could get freebie sunglasses in the event village. So a good haul of stuff! But the best bit was being with mates, VRBs are the best!!
Thank you and Mr S. for all you help and advice on getting our ‘camp’ up and down, for the pleasure of your company. Mr S.s great breakfast baps, delicious bar-BQ and the use of your rather large fridge. A memorable weekend for the right reasons. 😍😍
What’s a run without a little rain Shakes…. At least it was only a little? Sounds like you’ve all had a brilliant weekend down there, I wish we could have joined you. Great to hear your knees are doing ok. You’ve been doing so much recently your muscles must be in great shape and be able to support any of the niggles that you had before. You know you are amazing don’t you???!
Lovely to meet you Shake-and-run , that was a tough run! Sounds like you had an excellent weekend I didn't realise you'd been to parkrun too! Definitely soggy but enjoyable! 😊xxx
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Oxford half- alrighty here is the race report. I could NOT have done this without the support & encouragement of all you lovely people xxx