Race Reports

It was a misty chilly morning when two member of the elite Elvis impersonators wing of the Mid Sussex Tri Club arrived at the Hickstead showground to take on the Hickstead Gallop - Haywards Heath Harriers cross country race.

It was dry but the ground was a trifle sticky as large groups of club runners stretched and warmed up we watched on, striking triathalete poses, gazing through our 1980's orange wraparound sunglasses as we nursed our hangovers and curry guts.

The gun went off and I burst to the front - I was in the lead - two seconds later I picked myself up, wiped the mud of my face and rubbed the spike marks in my back, 'humm reminds one of a good night out me thinks'.

Up the hill, down the hill, up the hill, through the mud.

Up the hill, down the hill, up the hill, through the mud.

Running backwards as more runners come by, I try to block with chicken elbows but to no avail, they just keep coming. The coaching books say start in a sensible position and run negative splits so you can have the joy, excitement and psychological boost of running past people. That's not for me I enjoy the extra pain of demoralisation and the feeling of losing every time someone speeds past wondering why I am wearing a wool shirt fashioned into a running vest.

Up the hill, down the hill, up the hill, through the mud - straight through the mud as other traversed the gate to avoid getting their £100.00 plus trainers dirty. Fortunately I had Robs £15.00 second hand cross country spikes on that he sold to me for £20.00 so straight through the mud, past a few runners at every gate and chicken wing to the next gate - absolutely brilliant spikes are thoroughly recommended if you do any of these events.

Still they come past - until the line came in to view, using my spikes and absorbing the DNA left in them by Rob to give me the power of a Spartan (fortunately with clothes on) I sprinted to the finish and past a few shocked runners as I past them, only to realise they were carrying on for their final lap.

The day was complete when I found a muddy old runners glove.

• Colin - 34:57
• Dean - 42.32

 

 

11 MSTC athletes took part this time. This year the race was brought forward by a month from it's traditional time at the end of October. Slightly warmer weather and a later than usual start made it quite a civilised race but as usual superbly well organised and marshalled. 

The men certainly surpassed all expectations. Jim, Mike, Martin and Gordon all gained new PBs. Jim was really flying with 1h22m33s while Mike ran his first time under 90mins with 1h28m6s. Martin started very strongly and finished in 1h36m58s and Gordon cruised round with his dad for most of the way (just leaving him towards the end) for a 1h48m04s. I think we are going to see further huge improvements from both Martin and Gordon in the next couple of years.  Steve A managed a respectable time (1h32m23s) just 6 days after completing LEJOG and James paced himself round sensibly to a sub 90 minute time (1h29m28s) 

Lucy (1h43m4s) held off a very strong challenge from Emma Jaffe (1h44m38s), with Rachel not far behind both(1h46m10s). Hazel was a bit disappointed to find it quite a struggle this time in 1h51m19sand Helen Graham comfortably completed it sub 2 hours (1h57m06s) 

MEN WINNER 1h06m53s 

1. Jim Graham         1h22m33s     23.45%   10pts
2. Mike Jaffe           1h28m06s      31.75        9  
3. James Dear          1h29m28s*    33.79       8
4. Steve Alden         1h32m23s     38.16         7
5. Martin Sanwell    1h36m58s     45.01           6
6. Gordon Skeats     1h48m04s     61.61         5 

WOMEN WINNER 1h25m04s 

1. Lucy Williams    1h43m41s    21.89%    10pts
2. Emma Jaffe        1h44m38s*  23.00         9
3. Rachel Baker      1h46m10s    24.81         8
4. Hazel Tuppen     1h51m19s    30.85         7
5. Helen Graham    1h57m06s*  37.66         6

 * means chip time not available so slower 'gun' time is recorded in the results only

This race is billed as a challenging self-navigated off road run from London to Brighton, facts which I am not sure I really understood when I entered. The more people I spoke to, the more horror stories I heard about checkpoints being abandoned and bags just left at the end, and the more concerned I became.

The fact that the map book only arrived 3 weeks before the race was not terribly helpful either, especially since I had begun to recce the course as per previous years and there had been significant changes.  In fact I was more worried about getting lost than running the distance.  

However, I did manage to run the course south of the M25 in bits and pieces prior to race day, which calmed my nerves somewhat. 

Race day was a 6am start in Blackheath with registration in a TA hanger full of fit looking people and the discussions of previous races began.  It is pretty difficult not to doubt yourself when surrounded by multistage desert racers and people using the race as training for the 400 mile Arctic Yukon race, but too late to back out now.. 

I have to say the run was scenic, even through London.  The course ran through Lewisham, Bromley and to the west of Biggin Hill, crossing the M25 just north of Limpsfield Chart, then east of Edenbridge and East Grinstead.  The run then goes via Wych Cross to Horsted Keynes and then through Chailey Common heading south to cross the Downs at Black Cap, then through Falmer to Brighton.

The 5 checkpoints were well stocked with water, bananas and in the latter stages cakes, biscuits and also cold roast salted potatoes dipped in tomato sauce which have to be one of the most delicious things known to mankind when running this distance.  

I managed to go off course 3 times (once was in Ashurstwood which is a part of the course I had run in training) but nothing too terminal, adding 1 or 2 km at the most and was never running alone.  The people were friendly and happy to chat as we ran which was encouraging and also useful as many of them had a great deal of ultradistance running experience.  I did meet 2 other people who were also doing their first ultra and both finished just ahead of me.  I was pretty amazed at the number of experienced runners who were happy not to look at their maps and just follow inexperienced people like me, especially when I was joined by Rob and Jamie, acting as tour guides for the latter stages of the run. 

Overall, the run went pretty much as expected for me.  I was comfortable until about 35 miles and then began to tighten up as we climbed from Weir Wood reservoir and it was then that Rob and Jamie's support was invaluable.  Rob ran with me for about 15 miles from mile 31 and Jamie joined us in Horsted Keynes at about mile 40 and ran to the finish.  

I enjoyed the day, despite the pain.  Interestingly I learnt that it is possible to run through pain and out the other side to a stage where running is actually more comfortable than walking (although up hills are still very difficult after 50 miles with weak legs).  I was pleasantly surprised that, even when we were within a mile or so of our house, I was not tempted to crawl into bed with a cup of tea! 

The low point was leaving checkpoint 5 knowing that I had the walk up Black Cap ahead, but thehigh pointwas reaching the top with Jamie and seeing not only the sea, but also Steve and Kay, which was a real boost.  I knew then I could get to the finish and promptly ran past 3 other runners, one of whom tagged onto Jamie and I and then finished with me.  He was a French guy called Sebastian and a mutual thumbs up was our signal to each other of a job well done. 

As I look back I am not sure I would do it again, although as my legs recover I could change my mind..  

All I know is that I could not have done this without all the encouragement from everyone I know.  It is fantastic to belong to a club where people don't tell you that you're mad when you suggest something like this.  Claire Cresswell deserves special mention for getting me to start running on the Downs and Rob for training and company on the day. 

I will be forever grateful to my amazing husband Jamie for putting up with my training and for his help on the day.  Not only did he run about 20 miles with me, he kept my spirits up and force fed me jelly snakes on a regular basis to keep me going.  He always knows just what I need and that is just one of the reasons I love him. 

Statistics

• 3 runs a week in training
• Longest run 35 miles
• Time to finish 12.24 (cut off 13 hours). 
• Not sure how far I actually ran (Garmin packed up after 65km)
• Number entered 290+, 196 started and 88 finished

I finished 58th (7^th female)

Emma Goodhead

 

'Vincit Qui Patitur'

This ever popular hilly road race had 1,319 finishers. The impressive African winner, Yared Hogos, finished in 1:06:53 (a couple of minutes outside the course record).

This ever popular hilly road race had 1,319 finishers. The impressive African winner, Yared Hogos, finished in 1:06:53 (a couple of minutes outside the course record). 

A decent showing of 10 MSTC members produced some good performances and PB's in near perfect conditions. 

I had a nice chat with Rachel, Lucy, Emma, Mike and Helen before the race. However, I did not manage to meet up with Steve, James, Hazel and Martin at all. Helen was the only one I managed to spot coming over the finish line with a stunning sub-2 hour run that was 10 mins better than her previous best. 

Residual fitness from ironman training earlier this season allowed me to take 4 mins off my 2011 Barns Green effort to get a very pleasing PB. Funny how months of training/racing at HR 140bpm allows one to get PB's racing at HR 170+bpm. Thought I'd managed my first ever podium finish for this 3rd in age-group result, only to find this race only gives awards for 1st and 2nd in age-group! 

Gun times (no chip time available at time of writing)

• Jim 1:22:36
• Mike 1:28:16
• James 1:29:28
• Steve 1:32:32
• Martin 1:37:25
• Lucy 1:44:10
• Rachel 1:46:38
• Hazel 1:51:51
• Helen 1:57:06
• Emma....................chip failure.....finished in a good time apparently

By Jim Graham

Club Records: /about-mstc/club-records.aspx

Results: http://www.sportsystems.co.uk/ss/results/Barns%20Green%20Half%20Marathon/851

Jeans Report

What a fantastic time I had, could not have enjoyed it anymore. Having all those familiar and friendly faces on the start line definitely made it more of a social fun run.

13 miles seem to fly past, maybe it was the continual talking! dancing at the water stops or just the wine!! whatever it was I was disappointed when we got to the finish.

Mile 2   First taste of white wine, Trevor's eyes lit up at all the Power Gels and started to fill his pockets.

Mile 6   Brought a queue for the toilets and welcome sponges, supplied by an old gentleman having the time of his life, sponging down all the ladies!!

Mile 10  Brought extra wine tasting - a water fight with me and Kay - Two courgettes! carried by Trevor and Jules (have you cooked them yet?) and a lovely picture of Claire skipping off into the distance.

Mile 13  MSTC competitiveness kicked in and there was a dash for the finish or it just could have been the tea, coffee, cake, fruit, Bar b q and more wine supplied at the end, so we greedily put back all the calories we had lost.

Bring it on again next year:)

Trev's Report
I'd just like to mention the pumpkins ... I was first competitor over the line carrying a pumpkin!

I also managed to eat more crisps , pretzels and jelly babies than anyone! And despite a valiant attempt from Jim I won the competition to earn the entry fee back by collecting as many gels as possible , even managing to store some inside Roses sports bra !

Also the MSTC medics at mile 12 ... Steve pumping that poor woman full of gels until she vomited!

And it was Roses first half marathon!

 

JulesReport
The "courgettes" are actually the size of small pumpkins rather than the sort you find in Sainsbury's!

Definitely the most fun I have ever, and I'm sure will ever, have on a half marathon. I echo Jean's sentiments when I actually got quite sad At mile 9 when I realised there were only 3 miles left!

I think the quantity of wine increased each stop due to realising that there were fewer and fewer people following us :-D

Clairs Report
Sunny 'Skippy' Sunday
I went to bed on Saturday night and slept soundly. On Sunday it was a perfect day, I left with my printed out map of the bike route to get to Denbies and met Jean on route.

Cycling to an event has to be the way to go, no problems with nerves. The route was great and Jean and I enjoyed the bike ride so much, it was more of a concern that my map reading skills - while cycling - would get us there (which they did). It was a beautiful scenic route and didn't feel like the 30 miles at all. We got to see the Olympic rings on the heights of Box Hill as we made our final road towards the Vinyard.

On arrival at Denbies, which was so lush-green and beautiful we were surrounded by runners dressed up to the nines! I liked the runners dressed up as vineyard grapes - by the time the run was done their balloons as had deflated with the heat of the sun pounding down on them and every so often a few would bang as the balloons burst with all the friction created.

It was Such a relief to be back in the swing of things, again. It really didnt feel like 13 miles. I was pretty certain that post injury that I would run 4 and walk the rest. I ran and skipped a very decent 12 plus miles. Meeting up with Fiona, Jo, Sharon, Graeme, Steve, Kay, Jim, Helen, Juls and of course Trevor and Rose was superb.

We had an enormous amount of fun, we chatted, danced and stopped of course at every feed-drink station to make sure that we were hydrated, re grouped and then we all ran on again. I did quite a lot of skipping ... I found that too much sugar does make for a very skippidy hoppidy me - thank goodness I didnt have any wine !

This event was really well organised, lovely marshalls and a really good event to be part of - sometimes running for fun, chatting with friends and enjoying the scenic view has to be a founditory reason for all the training that is done in the year. They provided a great post BBQ, music and the atmosphere was fantastic. I would definitely do this again, be more organised and dress up and would cycle back next time too.

Jim's Report
A great day for a PW (personal worst finish time).
Brilliant fun race with fancy dressing, wine, sunshine, friends and great scenery.
Felt like it was the South of France running beside vinyards in blazing heat.
Had the rare privelage to run with (and chat to) the race leader (eventual winner) for a couple of miles. Jonathan Ratcliffe had lapped me and I had no trouble keeping up with him for a while seeing as his legs were 13 miles more tired than mine. Jonathan is a 2:45 marathoner and won this event in 3:11, which shows how tough the course was with hills and half-drunk half-marathoners to negotiate.
Not for the first time, my competitive wife sprinted past me on the finish and beat me by a couple of seconds.

Sharons Report

Best half marathon I have ever done & best of all I achieved a PW (Personal Worse) - also the first time I have ever finished a run feeling a little bit tipsy (lightweight - I obviously don't get out much).

I've just checked the pics on the website & it's the first time I'm smiling while running - he! He! The scenery was fantastic and it was great to just stroll up the hills exercising the jaws from all the chatting

Also needs to be said on the race report that Steve was "chicked" at the finish post by at least a second - lol xx
 

Steve's Report

What a great race and my kind of nutrition plan more wine than you can drink and more jelly babies than you can eat a great social run except for the last 5 meters when the girls got a bit competitive :) think this will have to be a club run for next year.

Place	Time	Name
48	01:56:44	Fiona Bussell
138	02:14:54	Joanna Rendall
193	02:23:38	Helen Graham
194	02:23:40	James Graham
242	02:30:06	Graeme Fitzjohn
509	03:19:08	Claire Cresswell
562	03:43:56	Sharon Chladek
563	03:43:57	Kay McMenamin
564	03:43:57	Jean Fish
565	03:43:57	Steve McMenamin
567	03:44:05	Rose Ryan
568	03:44:05	Trevor Moore
0	03:43	Jules - times missing