Birthday Races - Maverick Dorest Race

What’s the best way to start a birthday and a week away – with a 15 mile trail race in a new area – in my book anyway.

And that’s precisely what we did for my 34th birthday by heading down to the Dorset Coast to run with trail race organisers Maverick Race – who always put on a really excellent run partly because they allow dogs to come along as well and you get a beer at the end.

It was a lovely relaxed start – staying a 10 min drive down the road in Swanage we got there in good time and collected our numbers – this was Steph’s first race since the first of Jan with her doggy knee so rightly so she was a-little nervous at the start. I was excited for her and was sure she’d be fine.

So we lined up quite far back in and amongst the dogs which as we were set off I did regret a-little because quite quickly the path became very condensed and at a couple of points down to a walk and a stand still – Nooo! But soon it started to open up and as the first of many hills started I was able to start picking up the pace and trotting passed a few other runners.

I didn’t want to go bonkers as this was the longest I was going to have run for some time so it was probably a good thing that the first couple of miles were a little slower as I usually get way too carried away and am knackered by 3 or 4 miles.

The route was great – I loved the trails winding up a few big hills and through some wooded paths giving up some great views of the of the Dorset countryside which would eventually lead us out towards the sea.

5 or 6 miles in we’d just gone up a heck of a hill where we came face to face with some of the biggest cows I’ve ever seen. There were 3 of them and they were massive and typically right in the middle of the path and the direction that we needed to go. Luckily I survived and I was off again now running along the south coast way taking in the spectacular views – 7 miles in and I was enjoying myself a lot , my legs felt good , the weather was perfect, light cloud and very little head wind so I thought I’d give Steph a quick call to see how she’d got on with her 10k race – she was enjoying her finishers beer and having a lovely time pleased that she’d got through her race but sad she didn’t do a longer distance. Sadly she couldn’t really hear me so she said bye and let me get on with it.

There was a slight downhill and with an energetic spring in my step I thought sod it, let’s race from here so picked up the pace and started to catch a few runners.

At one point myself and another nearly took a wrong turn and it turned out the chap did the same last year but we had a laugh about it and carried on – he told me there were some tough bits coming up and a big rock with a story of giants attached to it – I liked the story and wished him well before chasing down my next set of competitors for what became my favourite part of the race – thin, technical trails, where you had to jump over roots and watch your footing – it was wonderful!! In my mind It became a game – stalking runner after runner until I passed all of them within site – of course they were none the wiser but to me it gave me something to focus on and enjoy ( as well as the trails )

The pit stops were super – fresh melon and oranges are so refreshing and a great pick me up and I enjoyed a quick stop at all 3 wolfing down some nuts at the final stop about 12 miles in. Up through some country roads and then into some woods with the most amazing light shining on a mix of bluebells and white flowers – it was ace and a great distraction for running up a pretty horrible steep hill – once on top of the hill I was hot on the heels of a chap I’d spotted long ago ( he was in a bright orange t-shirt )

We ran along together for a while and he asked how far we had left – about 13 miles in so roughly 2 I said – I think that made him a little sad but we’d reached a slight downhill point so I decided to make a break for it – my legs feel fine, I’ve got bags left in the tank and went for it, running at a 6 min mile pace and just kept getting faster and it wasn’t a struggle – jumping over branches and leaping about on the trails I was having the best time over taking a few other runners on my way back – at this point the route joined up with the start so I knew it was familiar territory but managed to keep the speed up round the corner and over a small hill I could see the end passed a watching pony gave it a wave then spotted a refreshed and slightly cold Steph cheering me on towards the finish line I upped the pace a little bit more ( at this point I was starting to get that sickly feeling you get when you’re knackered ) but that surge of adrenaline you get from seeing the end had kicked in and a whizzed up the final hill and crossed the line to receive my beer and medal!!

All in all a really great race – fantastically organised and a super route that I’d recommend to anyone who loves a trail run.

Since that run I’ve not done a huge amount – we ran a few trails along the coast In Cornwall which was the best and I did a local village run called Lindfield 10k. I’ve done this race dozens of times and it’s a great and challenging route – the weather is always either really hot or really miserable. This time it was really hot – up in the 20s at 9am and the race didn’t start till 10:45. It was going to be balmy – it was, but it was a great race and I was having a hoot I didn’t start that quick I thought I’d ease my way into the run but gradually managed to pick up a group that seemed to be going quite fast so stuck with them for a while before passing them up a hill with one other runner – out of the woods we climbed another hill and then down the edge of a field that was really exposed to the heat.

I was pleased to be running that bit downhill but as we came off there and entered a windy path in some woods we turned a corner to find a man stumbling with mega jelly legs into the bushes. Luckily my fellow competitor got to him first to steady him and I arrived to help lower him to get some rest – we gave him water and tried to call him as best as possible as he was really hot – he was disorientated and really suffering from the heat – but kept telling us to go on and he’ll be ok – we weren’t sure – he tried to get up but fell once again so we moved him into the shade as best as possible - other runners went to get help and fortunately a marshal and water point was just round the corner so he came running with water and some first aid knowledge.

People were stopping to offer help and advice and a paramedic ran by and of course stopped and took over – he was great, very calm and got Mathew as comfortable as possible – with the help of a local farmer, spoke with the ambulance crew and informed them what the situation was. After some time our patient started to feel a little better and we were able to walk him to the marshal point where he was taken by the farmer to wait for the ambulance. Myself and Ryan ( other good Samaritan ) finished the final mile together – quite the experience. By all accounts Mathew was ok in the end so that was great but I loved how many people were willing to stop and offer help at the expense of their own races to make sure he was ok or if he needed any help. It’s a good community the running bunch.

What’s next – well I need to get started on some serious training for the ultra marathon in July and the triathlon – I need to get swimming as that’s my weak point. I also need to get on the bike as I’ve got to myself 100 mile ready for that as well. It’s going to be a tough few months but I think it should be fun and I know it’s all for a great cause so please do dig deep and donate if you can.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alexslack1