Falling out of love with The Ridgeway....?

A bad thing happened this weekend. I fell out of love with The Ridgeway.

Only one year ago the very same Ridgeway helped me remember who and what I am. I owe it a lot as it saved me from a path that I am glad I did not take. I am a runner who loves to run and savour every experience that running can bring. This weekend I did not love and I did not take pleasure in a gift that medical science and “experts” tried to deny me...

My preparation for the Ridgeway Challenge 2012 had been less than ideal, due to the stresses of work and life. I know most of the route like the back of my hand and have so many memories of different little sections of it, recc'ed at various times of night and day and with different people. I was also in better physical condition than I was when I ran it in 2011.

I had been very open about my intentions for running the Ridgeway this year. It was my one “proper” target of 2012 and I wanted to run it faster than any female before me had ever done so. Perhaps that was the start of my problems, sharing this with others and putting an unnecessary pressure upon myself.

The morning of the race itself was rather interesting and a very daunting affair.... from breakfast at the B&B to meeting all the other runners during registration... I was very aware that people seemed to know who I was and what I had done last year. Assumptions were made and I felt very uncomfortable that others appeared to be confident about what I would do during the race, and yet I was feeling very scared, doubtful of my ability and certainly not confident that I would even finish the race.

I will apologise in advance of my writings today... There were many people and friends that I spoke with before, during and after the race, but I do not have their permission to write their names and for that reason I will share my experiences with them, but they will remain nameless. They will know who they are and if they want their name to appear here, I will happily edit my original version :-)

Ian I can mention as he deserves as much accolade as possible. Without him I would not have started the race, I would not have run all the way to the finish, and I certainly would not have retained a title that I feel honoured to be bestowed.

I must also mention Anthony, the race director. Without him and his volunteers such an amazing and prestigious event could not happen. I am grateful that people like him and the wonderful TRA exist in this word.

I would love to mention all my sponsors, but worry that... Wow, hang on a minute, this is my writing, if I want to mention them I jolly well shall!!

Trion:Z (for humans and for huskies); Salomon; Rehband; Sunwise; 9Bar; Zensah.. without you all and your brilliant support, I would not be able to achieve what I do. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart :-)

And so, to the actual race, and it was a race, even though I try to pretend that it was just a personal running challenge....

Immediately before the start I received some wonderful news from a friend that was also running the race. I carried this news with me for the first few miles and it helped my fly over the ground as if I had wings....

I have never led a race from the start. I have a reputation for a very slow start and then a very strong finish. To be leading from the gun was an experience and a feeling alien to me.

The Chiltern hills from Ivinghoe Beacon are quite simply inspirational. There are occasions when one can feel just like a Red Kite as they run down the slopes.... arms spread wide, feet skipping across the terrain....

Wendover Woods (or is it Tring Woods) offer a different experience of beautiful paths down tree lined routes. For some reason, I always think of Winnie the Pooh when I run through these woods. I know not why as Hundred Acre Wood was in Hampshire... Today I ran through this wood thinking a lot of little Hebe and the imminent recital of a very special poem at her christening in almost exactly one day's time....

The first checkpoint is just before Wendover town. I did not stop long as I knew Ian would be nearby. However I did not know that he would be slightly distracted by a certain Sir Jackie Stewart out walking his dogs in Wendover Town ... I wonder if it is mere coincidence that he is also affectionately known as “the Flying Scot”...

After spotting Ian in Wendover, I headed off to ascend Coombe Hill, where I had planned to eat my croissant...

Running down off Coomb Hill I remembered my last run there, a little practise on the day after the Olympic Games opening ceremony. I felt so inspired on that day, remembering the music as the “next generation” circled the stadium on their way to light the Olympic Cauldron. I will forever and a day remember the music that played on that day, music that I had specially chosen to have on my MP3 player for later in the run when I needed inspiration.

From Wendover the Ridgeway continues to pass through the Chilterns, beautiful scenery available for those that choose to enjoy. As I ran towards Princes Risborough I had the delight of running on paths that Kez and I had previously shared during one of our runs. I missed him not being beside me, his phenomenal pacing skills and instinctive behaviour to always ensure that I am okay. Running beside me when I struggle, leading the way when I am strong. Today I mostly remembered - a technique I was to use for many miles of my solo running...

I remember not when the rain and thunderstorms started, I just remember that it was very wet, very loud and there were brilliant flashes in the sky. My feet were soaking and my ankle aching. The pre race hopes that I would forget about my ankle were crumbling around me. I will not dwell on the pain that I experienced in my ankle for the duration of the race. I have written about it many times before and to be completely blunt, there is not much that changes. I accept the condition that I have and I try to manage it as best I can. I have learned to manage pain and I will continue to make the most of the time as a runner that I have. One day it will end, and one day I will accept that.

I love the checkpoint at Swyncombe (just before the church) checkpoint 3 and hosted by some brilliant people. All drinks are “made to order”, a far cry from the grab and go approach at most races. It is things like this that make The Ridgeway Challenge so very special. Last year they “mothered” me as my world was falling apart (ankle stuff and just about to pull from the race), this year they carefully measure out my orange squash and let me scoff a lot of Pringles!

Upon leaving the checkpoint I knew Grim’s Ditch was fast approaching, my favourite part of the race, also one of the reasons off road running is so much fun.....

A chance to see Ian before my favourite section lifted my spirits, as did the Red Kites that chose to appear as I trudged through a harrowed field (or two)..... It was just before this point that I ended up running with a “Facebook” friend, meeting in person for the first time. We shared some stories, running and dogs.

Did I mention that I love Grim’s Ditch? A tricky section through an exposed tree root path, it twists and bends, keeping mind and feet very active. Quick thinking and my brilliant Salomon XR Missions saw me survive and thrive on this section – it was a different story last year when my Nimbus shoes and lack of confidence resulted in me turning both my ankles....

The next section of the route heads down to the side of the Thames. A flat section with some gates to negotiate and herds of cows and flocks of geese to pass through. There is also a little church yard that one must pass through, and yet again I felt rather uncomfortable, as if somehow I was being disrespectful.

I started getting excited as I felt really strong and I was just about to meet Ian. The plan was for us to rendezvous at the Perch & Pike pub in South Stoke, quick Guinness and change into my night time clothes. I had run out of food and drink long before the Thames, but I did not worry as I had guessed that South Stoke was only a short distance away....

The distance was much longer than I had thought and by the time I reached Ian I was already suffering the effect of very low blood sugar levels. The body was struggling, the mind drifting in and out of awareness. I reached him just in time. Demolition of Coca Cola, rapidly followed by the most delightful Guinness and I started to come round and be aware of what I needed to do. A change of clothes, a plea to Ian for proper food and I started to focus.

The most delightful plate of fish and chips, with mushy peas appeared just as I exited my personal “changing room”. Table manners thrown out of the window, I scoffed the feast as if it was my last on Earth. Over the next few hours I would be punished severely for my lack of manners and glutton like greed....

Suffice to say, I will never again each such a huge amount if I actually want to run. Enforced walking was not on my plan for the early section of the second half of the Ridgeway as I exited Streatley and headed towards Didcot!

And it was from this point forth, that nothing I did made any difference to my negative state of mind. For the brief moments I did not feel sick, I had to cope with pain in ankle, toes or back. Feet slipped from underneath me, I jumped from grassy ridge to grassy ridge trying to find the most solid ground.

Briefly seeing Kirsty helped lift my mind and remind me of the dream I had left behind, somewhere along Grim’s Ditch. Her offers of food were met with a resolute no.

I forgot how to smile and I forgot how to inspire myself. My earphones were broken, no music could lift me and my Camelbak tasted of soap. My toes hurt and I wanted my bed.

Just like Mr Ben, Ian kept appearing from the darkness, worried about me, checking to see that I was making onwards progress.

I was rude to him, grumpy to him and still he kept appearing! What would I do without his support.....?

My best friend for the full duration of the run was my Salomon XA cap. It sat comfortably upon my head protecting my eyes from torrential rain. It never swayed in the high winds or extreme downpours of rain, resolutely remained in place protecting me for all 87 miles...

I saw toads, mice and owls. I heard owls and other night time creatures. The best bit was the baby badger that came trotting towards me oblivious to the human he was about to bump into..... And when he suddenly realised, froze for a second and then scampered away, accompanied by little huffy puffy noises I had to fight the urge to go chasing after him! Kez and Kroi would never forgive me if I told them I refrained from chasing him!!

Yet as my mind crumbled inside, my body kept on going, refusing to give up. It was on autopilot and very much controlling me. As darkness surrounding me I tried to remember what was beyond the darkness. Didcot in the distance reminded me of Kirsty and her running club. Swindon in the far distance reminded me of magic roundabouts and shops.

I thought a lot of Kobi. Or more accurately I thought a lot about “Kobi's Legacy” and the dream that I will make happen.... I cried silent tears as I remembered his little face and “woo,woos”, how he taught me so much about patience and trust.

As I ran towards CP4 on Bury Down, my feet “wheel spun” on the wet muddy grass, I would run a few hundred yards, get frustrated and resign myself to walking for a while. My legs felt strong and wanted to run, but my mind was wondering off the Ridgeway. It was a total disconnect. I learned at this checkpoint about the huge fallout of runners from the race. It sounded like more were pulling out that running all the way to Avebury. This made me feel really sad.

The wide tracks on the route offered several options of where to run/ walk. I know from previous experience that the right hand side is better and yet for many miles I tried to force myself down the left hand side..... Jumping between grassy islands to try and avoid the flooded tracks.

As time dragged on, I stopped “hallucinating”... The large fish that had been flapping around in front of me, mocking me for being so greedy, swam away into the darkness... My belly no longer ached and I no longer believed I would lose my fish supper.... I was able to sip small quantities of Dioralyte and nibble on small pieces of food.

The rain had subsided and the stars were twinkling brightly in the night sky. I remembered the story of the little star that could not sparkle....

“The little Star tried so hard to make himself shine, he huffed and puffed and he smiled until his face hurt, but still he could not shine.
The wise big Star told him that he would only every shine outside when he learned how to shine from inside....

One day he had a race with his little friend, tried really hard and won the race. He was so happy and bursting with pride, but still he did not shine.

He made a drink for himself and before he could drink it, his friend finished the race. His friend collapsed as he finished, completely out of breath and very thirsty. The little Star offered his drink to his little friend, who swallowed it all in one gulp.

As the little Star walked back to his home to make another drink as he too was now very thirsty, he looked at his reflection in the moonlit pond.....

The little Star was shining, brightly and strong, radiant light reflecting off every part of the little Star........”

The next checkpoint (7) at Sparsholt Firs passed in a bit of a blur, but I instantly remembered the next part of the course very well. Having run it several times, I knew how close and yet how far home was.

Checkpoint (8) at Charlbury Hill is always the most glowing of all the checkpoints. I think it is where all the little Stars gather, disguised as people...

Their campfire is like a beacon on approach and their joyful enthusiasm “almost” contagious. I tried very hard to smile, but I think a grimace was all that came out....

Heading away from this checkpoint The Ridgeway drops down a stony trail and onto a road section for over one mile. It was at this point last year that I grew wings and flew most of the way home. Not today, all that I grew were horns!! Sorry Ian and the fellow runner that heard me say a bad word...

As I considered quitting, getting in the car and being driven to the finish I thought again about all my sponsors and the people that believe in me.  I mentally "wrote" myself a letter, apologising to them all for letting them down.  For being a fraud and unable to achieve.  I never got round to signing the letter as the "La, La" song appeared by magic in my mind......

I kept on seeing a head torch light come towards me, which was rather confusing as it would then turn around and go forwards... This kept happening almost all the way to Barbury Castle and it was only then that I realised it was a fellow runner not confident that he was on the correct trail!! He knew I was close behind and when my light kept coming, he knew he as on the correct path...

We ran together for a while, most of the way to the finish. It was the same runner that I spoke to as we ran through Grim's Ditch, many hours before. We shared a few stories of dogs, running and how good Salomon clothes are.

It was not until we ran through Barbury Castle (CP9) that I finally allowed myself to consider that I was the leading female in the race and would almost definitely retain my championship title.

As the realisation dawned upon me I started to feel inside me something that had left me many hours and many miles earlier. The realisation that I had actually achieved what I had dreamed of. My time may well be nearer 18 hours this year, but it mattered not as finishing had become my only target since South Stoke, about 44 miles earlier....

My legs picked up strength as we ran towards Marlborough Downs. (It is actually Fyfield Down, but I always think of Marlborough Downs Challenge at this point and remember my first ever ultra event...) Sadly my running companion was not comfortable running on the tough terrain in the last few miles, so I kept stopping and waiting for him as I feared he would miss the last turn off The Ridgeway, when the route heads into Avebury away from Overton Hill. I am not sure if it was his tiredness or choice of footwear, but his feet slipped from underneath him at one point. Thankfully he was able to continue running.

I stood waiting for him at the final turn and tried to will him to pick up the pace, fly down the hill to the finish. I finally looked at my watch and noticed that I was actually an hour faster than I thought! As I covered the last few hundred metres I realised that not only had I managed to finish, but I finished in the third fastest ever time. Only three ladies wining times have been sub17 hours – two of them belong to me.  I am also the first female to have won the UK Trail Ultra Running Championship more than once.

I was delighted to hear that fellow Winchester & District Athletic Club member Robin Houghton had won the race, also in the third fastest ever time.

So where do I go from here? Do I return next year to try for a third title and a sub 16 time? To be honest, I do not know.

I run because I love running. I run for the feeling of freedom, inspiration, happiness and so much more. My run on The Ridgeway this year did not give me that. It gave me pain, despair, frustration and made me grumpy.

I started this piece of writing by saying that “I fell out of love with The Ridgeway”. I now know that is not true. I disconnected with a dream, that is all.

I intend to run the full Ridgeway Trail with all of the Huskies Running team. Run it in a day, for fun and for “Kobi's Legacy”. I have a sneaky feeling that when I do, I will realise that in actual fact I am very much still in love with The Ridgeway, and who knows, I may even create a new dream for 2013....

*the "La, La" song is in fact the song that was played as the Olympic Flame entered the Olympic Stadium and the "future generation" lit the Olympic Cauldron.

Krofti: Time for the world to know just how special he is..

Krofti, always there, yet not.... Kroi and Kez attract all the attention as Krofti quietly does what he does best....

Many know him as the one that “sings” at the start of parkrun; the one that doesn't “race”; the one that likes his cuddles; the one that quietly sits in the background....

I know him well, and for way too long, I have taken him for granted....

Krofti is nearly 11 years of age. He has experienced a lifetime of good, bad, and ugly... I have shared this lifetime with him....

Krofti was Kai's grandson, his father was Kade's brother.

In his life to date he has won numerous showing awards, raced in many countries and pulled rigs, dog sleds, bikes and humans. He has been filmed by the BBC, Sky news, Eurosport and a Belgium TV company that I cannot remember the name of....

He has run with horses, played with cats and pet rabbits (our only husky that accepts cats and French Lop rabbits). He even befriended a miniature goat that used to live with my pony.

Anyway, in summary, if you want a reliable dog, that will do all that is asked of him, you call on the services of Krofti........

I have been honoured with the most amazing task, of carrying the Olympic Flame as part of the Torch Relay. I was originally nominated to do this with Kobi....

Kobi no longer lives amongst us, I hear his name and I remember why. Deep sadness will remain forever and a day, but life must go on. I will carry the Olympic Flame in Kobi's honour, and I will carry it with one of his "pack" by my side.

If I run with Kroi, and at his preferred pace, the Olympic Flame would be in danger as we would fly down the road faster than the speed of light..;-)

If I run with Kez we would have to take a tour of the entire Jurassic Coast before he would happily stop and let the next person in the relay carry the Olympic Flame....

If I run with Krofti, he will do all that is asked, probably without even being asked. The one that is so often overlooked, and yet the one that will never let me down.

And so, for this very reason, when I carry the Olympic Flame on 12^th July, it will be Krotfi that will be by my side.

Krofti is a dog that has inspired many.... he runs with kids and adults alike. He makes them run when they would choose to walk....

Yesterday I practised with Krofti.... He turned his head and looked me in the eye each time I gave him a command. He may have asked me “why”, but he dutifully did all that I asked of him. 

Today he watched as I ran from side to side on the road, and then he followed my every step, I did not even have to say a word :-)))

At the moment Krofti is very sad, struggling with the loss of his best friend, I want to help him. I will help him. Together we will all carry the Olympic Flame, Krofti, Kobi and Kade - two in person, two in memory, and everyone else in my heart....

Day 9: Running the dream, living the nightmare

Finally, the day had arrived for me to realise another dream. To run the “Drovers” leg of WCR, starting in Builth Wells and climbing all the way to Drovers Arms. 10.8 miles of mostly ascent. A leg loved by many and feared by many. When supporting the team several years ago I fell in love with the idea of running this leg. The dream was further compounded when I ran up the same mountain, in 2011, that time off road, in the mud and with Kez. I remember standing at the summit, admiring the view tears flowing down my face as I told Kez that one day I would live the dream of running “Drovers”.....

I ignored the pre race warning signs related to pain in my ankle and in my knee, put them down to uncomfortable travel and sleeping arrangements the previous night (note to one's self, three huskies and two humans do not fit well on a bed!!). Also too much time on my feet in the preceding days and not enough rest, but nothing to really worry about......

Mile 1 - oops over compensating as a runner cut in front of me, I felt my knee and outside of my left leg straining to protect the ankle.

Mile 2 – pain starts on the outside of my left calf, knee pain starts easing.

Mile 3 – further pain on outside of my calf, all down my left leg now feeling uncomfortable. Knee pain gone.

Mile 4 – time to start complaining to supporters. Somehow wishing that they would be able to offer a miracle cure.

Mile 5 – more complaining and the offer of a lift.... stupidly I refused and thought that it was a good idea to continue. Shortly afterwards I started feeling discomfort directly within my ankle joint.

Mile 6 – finally got to see Ian and the huskies. He offered me some drinks. I offered him some words of complaint as I came to a standstill. I think I was hoping that I would suddenly be needed to deal with a dog situation and therefore it would not be possible for me to continue running, priorities and all... Sadly the dogs just looked at me as if to say “well go on then, do you not have a job to do..?”

Mile 7, 8 – the tears came free flowing as the pain became stronger within my ankle. As the ascent got steeper, I was unable to flex my ankle in the way that one needs to when running up a hill, mostly this was due to the restrictions of the ankle brace that I had chosen to wear.

7 years in denial, years of pain and frustration, I was finally ready to admit that I am indeed a cripple. I should have listened to that Doctor and paid heed to his words. He was right, I am a cripple, I cannot go through a day without pain in my ankle. Yes I can run, but every day I limp, not normally when I am running, it is usually when I first stand up, when I walk down stairs or if I drive a non automatic car. Sometimes it just hurts as I rest. Why pretend I am something that I am not.

Ian and all the WADAC supporters were brilliant, offering me words of support as I trundled on. I refused to stop and I refused to walk. I tried to admire the view as I ran further up the mountain road, sadly I saw the view, but could not feel its beauty, my mind so overcome with negativity.

Ian suggested that I took off the ankle brace. I ignored him. I didn't want to stop for fear of collapsing as my brain was a little foggy from my focussed concentration and the drugs (all legal in case you wondered).

One mile to go – I saw the sign that told me so, located right at the point where the ascent suddenly became a descent. And it was at precisely this point that the ankle collapsed. The good news was that the knee, calf and thigh pain completely disappeared, meaning that all I had to do was lock my ankle joint and use my right leg to do all the work as my left leg limped, merely following through on the running motion that I tried to impose on it, no power, just stability as I did not think I could manage to hop the rest of the way to the finish!!

At the finish I sort of threw myself to the ground, more in relief rather than fainting or anything more serious. The concentration required to run in considerable pain places a lot of stress on the mind and the best way to switch it off is just to drop to the ground and relax.

Thanks to everyone for their support during and after the race. Jen in particular for her comforting hug and words of support.

Tomorrow is a new day and there is more that I can try to manage my pain and my mind, no need to give up yet. After all, I do have a reputation to maintain.....;-)

(Photo courtesy of Michaela McCallum)

Day 8: Welsh Castles Relay – Caernarfon to Newtown

A day of supporting all the Welsh Castle relay runners, well that and dodging the rain and floods! A very wet morning caused chaos with roads flooded, landslides and runners trapped in their homes. I received a phone call from my parents back home in Scotland. They were watching the news telling them how bad the situation was in Wales. People being airlifted to safety from flooded camp-sites, lifeboat people needing outside assistance.... It sounded awful and we were right in the middle of it all. Thankfully we stayed clear of the worst areas and managed to dry out a little in between the downpours.

The weather finally improved in the afternoon and we were able to dry out fully. We warmed up, just in time for an emergency call up to the team for Ian. One of the runners had pulled out at the last minute leaving a gap in the team. A little bit of careful arranging from the WADAC team management of Ian and Michaela, and Ian was all set to run the final leg of the day – a mountain stage and the longest leg in the entire race! Less than ideal for Ian in his current situation, but always the team player, he was not going to let anyone down.

Fair to say that Ian totally put his heart and soul into running his leg wearing his beloved WADAC vest. It was a delight to see him running again, but I know only to well how hard it was for him, especially as he ran the same leg so well, only two years ago. I was so proud of him.

By the time we got to the camp-site and sorted our sleeping accommodation for the evening (a van full of two humans and three huskies), most of the food on the barbecue was either cold, or gone! We manage to scrape together a meal, although we were all too exhausted to actually eat it.

By now word had also gotten around about the little puppy that had gotten his nose bitten off yesterday.....

Anyway we ended up having a lovely evening with fellow WADAC members, and the huskies were exceptionally well behaved, loving the attention but completely chilled and laid back about it.

(Photo courtesy of tzruns)

Day 7: The journey to Wales

Welsh Castles Relay Weekend....

Thanks to the kind generosity of some wonderful friends, Bryony and Pete, we had the loan of a converted van for the weekend. A weekend of luxury sleeping in a “proper” bed and not having the hassle of tent assembly and disassembly....

We were a lot later leaving home than we had hoped for, courtesy of me working in the morning. By the time we hit the road we were destined to hit Friday rush hour traffic. And we did....

By the time we made the decision to come off the M5 and head across country to Wales, we had come to realise that the dogs were extremely stressed in the back of the van. They have never travelled in a van before and were not happy about the arrangement that we had made for them. They could not see out of any window and they unable to reach the front of the vehicle and unable to make contact with us.

We decided to stop in a little village to take the dogs for a relaxing walk to destress....

We found a lovely little footpath beside a church, heading into a lovely grassy meadow. Off we strolled, minding our own business as the birds sang in the trees and little baby bunnies bounced along the grass....

We could hear an agitated dog on the other side of the fence as Kroi walked close beside the fence. Suddenly a nose and muzzle appeared through a hole in the fence and grabbed at Kroi's face. I knew instantly that he had been bitten badly. Continuing to a safe distance away from the fence we tried to settle him and assess the damage. There were severe gauge marks across his nose, and it was bleeding heavily. If the aggressor had been able to get more of a grip, Kroi would probably have lost a section of his nose, thankfully it did not and the scarring will be minimal, as long as no infection sets in.

We then discovered that this dog (or dogs as there are several on the premises) have attacked before, badly biting other dogs and at least one person. We spoke with one of the “victims” who had a serious injury on her hand requiring stitches.

Needless to say, our little adventure cost us a lot of time and our ETA was now after 10pm. The weather was also horrendous as we travelled through North Wales. Spectacular waterfalls cascading down the mountains, rivers bursting their banks and flooding all around us. The wind buffeting the van from side to side as Ian struggled to keep us safely on the road. Camping in this weather was not a pleasant thought.

As luck would have it, we stopped to say hello to our friends Heidi, Russ and Jac in Llanberis, who own a pub and accommodation.  Gallt y Glyn, also has the most perfect bunkhouse, ideal for a visiting family of humans and huskies. Some beers and a catch up later and we all ended up having the best night's sleep in a very long while....

We are due to return to Gallt y Glyn in July for the International Mountain Festival race and another very special run that hundreds of children are participating in. Krofti is going to have so much fun with Jac and we are so excited about being part of such a very special event!!

(Photo courtesy of Ian J Berry - nose healing well :-) )

Day 4: Special parkrun day

A chance to run two parkruns in a day, Ian jumped at the opportunity and so the plan was set. Andover parkrun at 9:00, Newbury parkrun at 10:30. I was only going to run at Newbury as I wanted for the two brothers to have a good run out.

A new course record was achieved at Andover parkrun, first and second males racing all the way, a local runner versus a parkrun "tourist". The tourist won in a fabulous time of 16:11.

I felt that the tourist must be someone special, to see him run in they way that he did...  I introduced myself to him, to discover that his name was Richard Ward, winner of more parkruns than any other person. It was a bit like meeting a member of parkrun royalty, or so I thought......

The tourist was also planning on running at Newbury. The prospect of a fast run and the opportunity to have some other runners for the “boys” and I to run alongside had me a teensy bit excited.

Arriving at Newbury, Jon Errington offered to run with Krofti, which we thought a fabulous idea. So after a little practise session and learning the control commands, we all headed off to the start.

I had chosen to wear my GBR vest in tribute to Her Majesty and the Diamond Jubilee, I have never previously worn it in a parkrun event, and wanted to wear it with pride, run as if I was running for my country....

There was a little false start (over enthusiastic runners or people determined to beat the huskies...?), but once Kroi woke up we hit the front and headed off down the track. Hardly any commands need to be given to the boys as they both know the course, I only had to provide a little bit of encouragement to run wide of the loose dogs that were on the course. The first mile was very quick, clocking 4:36 on my Garmin, I fully expected the dogs (and I) to blow up and end up running the last mile very slowly, to be overtaken by at least two of the runners.

As we approached the halfway section, a herd of ponies, spooked by the runners came galloping towards us, Kez instantly alerted to potential “fun”. However, the cows blocking the course route definitely had Kroi's attention.... Slowing to an almost standstill, I was able to guide both of them safely between the fast approaching horses and the cows blocking the path. With the safety of all livestock ensured, we picked up the pace again, but both dogs were now jogging, initial enthusiasm waning. I let them jog for a short while, allowing me to recover a little from the very fast first half.

I fully expected to be overtaken at this point, but no runner came past and I made the decision to ask the dogs to pick up and run to the finish as quickly as I was capable of running...

They responded instantly, picked up the pace and we galloped to the finish in our best ever 5k time of 16:14. So proud of my boys, I waited at the finish for the first place male to finish and shake his hand. It was the winning tourist from Andover that finished just behind me, and sadly he refused to shake my hand. He made very negative comments directed at the huskies and appeared to be in a bit of a strop. I thought it would pass and walked after him to speak with him.

I never did get to speak to him and later learned that he was very rude to the volunteers and used very bad and abusive language in the presence of young children, so I guess he was in more of a strop than I realised.

This has upset me greatly as I know that he was upset as a direct result of something that I did. He was not happy about being beaten by someone running with dogs. parkrun is not a race, it is an all inclusive time trial event that anyone can run in. Dogs are welcome, as are families with buggies. We (the dogs and I) have run nearly 80 parkruns together and I know that we have brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people. But recently we have upset several people, when we finish in front of them, or achieved times that are classified as “course records”.

I know that it is not my fault, but I feel very responsible for what happened at Newbury parkrun on 5^th June. I do not ever want this to happen again, therefore I have seriously considered never running another parkrun again. I say this as I know that the boys and I are capable of even faster times and the faster we get, the more attention we attract. The vast majority of people are overwhelmingly supportive of what we do, unfortunately there are small number of people that will never accept it.

I hope that parkrun one day change the way that results are recorded, making it clear when people's times are “dog assisted”. I have asked parkrun organisers if there is a way for my results to be clearly identified as “assisted”, but unfortunately it cannot be done without considerable time and effort on their behalf. I will not change my club to “CaniX” or “Canicross” as my first claim club is, and always will be Winchester & District Athletics Club.

I have also asked Power of 10 to remove my parkrun results from my profile as I do not believe they should be listed amongst my “non assisted” race results.

In an ideal world, I find some fast runners to run with to really test the Huskies Running team, parkrun make it clear when people are “dog assisted” and then we can achieve a guilt free time that really will be exceptional......

Returning to Newbury.... brilliant to see Jon and Krofti finishing with such big smiles!  And to see Ian collect a double parkrun.... Plus catching up with all our friends and eating cake afterwards was very special indeed :-)

Anyway, we finished off an eventful day with a lovely meal in the company of Rachael and Mark, founding Race Directors of Newbury parkrun.

(photo courtesy of Paul Hammond)

Day 3: The Kent Roadrunner Marathon

The Kent Roadrunner Marathon was a resounding success, thanks to the phenomenal organising abilities of Ian J Berry. Attention to detail is something that he excels in. He promised a very special marathon, and he delivered a very special marathon.

I have never seen so many happy runners and glowing comments in praise of a race and its organisation. I have also never before lived with a Race Director and experience first hand exactly what is required to organise an event. I think if more people were aware of what actually goes on behind the scenes then they would think very differently about a great many things and perhaps not take each and every race that they do for granted.

I was given the honour of starting the race with my very special Union Jack Flag (the very one that ran the final mile with me in the 100K World Championships).  I had to move pretty fast to avoid being stampeded by the enthusiastic runners as they started the Kent Roadrunner Marathon!!

The winner of the race was Steve Gumbrill, running his first ever marathon.  Female winner was the wonderful Jen Salter, running a personal best time on the day.

The winning time of 2:48 was just outside the April winning time at the same venue of 2:44, achieved by Irish International ultra runner, Dan Doherty.

So many people spoke of achieving personal best times, including Traviss Willcox, Cameron Cumming, Heather McDonald-Hamilton, David Hegarty (my fellow 4:10 pace maker in New York Marathon), Helen James, Carolyn Hall, Matt Dunn and many more......  so good to see their proud smiling faces.

Without doubt, the most emotional part of the day was seeing Kobi on each and every lap.  In honour and as a tribute to him, Traviss had chosen to wear a t-shirt with his face upon it, my favourite picture of this special little dog.  We promised Kobi that one day he would run a marathon.  In life we were unable to fulfil this promise, thanks to Traviss we saw it happen and that itself offers some respite to the turmoil I currently live in.

The volunteers that we had on the day were exceptional. Smiling and so helpful, never complaining, just doing what needed doing. Ironically they enjoyed the event so much that many have already entered for next year, meaning we will need to find new volunteers! We have already received a large number of entries for the 2013 event, tribute indeed to the skills and ability of tzruns, AKA Ian J Berry!

The specially designed Huskies Running medals were very well received from people that know us and those that did not. Many people did not understand the connection between a marathon and Huskies Running and asked to be enlightened.... Several people ran the marathon just to earn a medal!

Being part of this marathon although very exhausting, was very special. Seeing all Ian's hard work come together on the day, was delightful. Always the perfectionist he is already planning changes to make the 2013 event even better.....

(Photo Copyright Sussex Sport Photography 2012)