PERSONAL BATTLE ALERT THAT IS!
That has got to be the hardest half marathon EVER!!! And that is without Mother Nature blowing an absolute hoolie with horizontal rain!!! it was like ‘It’s A Knock Out’ of the trail running variety in the natural arena of Dartmoor!! I feel like tiny me was battling against the weather Gods on a grand scale.
I ache in places I never knew existed, I used muscles I never knew I had, just to stay upright and grounded … or as upright as a human leaning tower can be. Amazingly my hips feel great … all the slip sliding hip swiveling mud seems to have loosened them up. Who knew that all they needed were a few hours of extreme workout on Dartmoor?
The first third was spent cursing, the swears whipped from my lips and carried on the wind far far away.
The middle third was sublime in comparison, the scowl transformed into a beaming smile.
The final third was gritted teeth and determination to keep pushing, get to that finish line.
It was by no means fast … my slowest half marathon to date at 3:18:54 … but somehow I managed to keep moving forward through headwind, crosswind, bog and rocky river paths. This memorable half has stolen my heart.
A hard fought medal prised from the fingers of Mother Nature … the first medal of the year, well and truly earnt.
The first Pure Trail race of the year completed, the first race for my first challenge … to complete the longest distance of every Pure Trail race of 2020.
Thank you Pure Trail for another super challenging event … I wouldn’t expect anything else. And a massive humongous gigantic enormous thank you to your team of amazing marshalls … from those at registration, those braving the elements to keep us on the right track and those at the finish line with cheers, hugs and medals … you were absolute super stars each and everyone of you.
Moor Miles 