29th August The castle on the hill


So seeing as I was home alone after our little jollies away, it was a chance to go and run, and todays little venture took me to the grounds of Belvoir Castle (or Beever as the locals pronounce it) for what was advertised as a 10km trail run. 

Just over 30 miles from here so pretty easy to get too even if I did manage to miss the turning right near the entrance and ended up doing an entire loop of the castle grounds to bring me back to where I originally went wrong. Perhaps this unexpected and excessive use of the clutch might have accounted for the heaviness in my legs...lol

Gathered under a murky, misty sky waiting for the B of the bang, it was slightly disappointing to hear it was going to be two loops of a 5km course as opposed to the 10km look I had been studying on Youtube from previous events held at the castle. The disadvantage of a double loop is that you know you have to repeat any nasty uphill sections again for a second time. Strangely the propspect of running any downhill sections twice doesn't have an uplifting effect.

So after uhmming and aghing over my choice of shoes (as if it would make any difference to my time) we were off along the tarmaced road of the estate and along rock strewn sections of tracks that made looking down at ones feet compulsory rather than looking up at the gorgeous views. Those of us who had complained that it was misty as we started to run were now complaining that the sun had come out and that it was too hot proving that you can't please some of the people any of the time.

Part way through the first loop, I was passed by the 5km runners (no stamina eh!) who flew past making me look as if I was stood still, which I could well have been if truth be known. And then as we crossed over the finishing line at the end of the first loop, all we had to do was do it all again, although I must admit it did feel a little bit easier second time around.

So another (almost) Olympic medal in the bag. Let's hope I can get on the podium rounding up the sheep at Longshaw next weekend.



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