Butser Hill Challenge 22/09/2013

Cajoled!! It makes a great sound as it rolls around your mouth, it’s a half-way house between congealed and paroled but generally means that you have been forcefully persuaded to participate in something which is probably against your better judgement. Something like taking part in a one hour body combat class an hour and a half before you take part in a race consisting of running up and down an 888 foot hill three times.

And so I was cajoled by my gym buddies (Team Pump) to beat up an invisible man for an intense cardio workout on Sunday 22^nd September before competing in the Butser Hill Challenge. To be fair I guess it was down to me that the guys were taking part in the challenge in the first place, although there was no cajoling I certainly threw down the gauntlet, and the pursuing banter made it impossible to withdraw from either event without facing immense ridicule and a very high chance of being ostracised from any future gym activity.

Butser Hill is the highest point of the South Downs National Park in Hampshire, the challenge was founded in 1978 and was one of the first major and toughest organised mass runs. It is a demanding ‘grade B’ short fell run taking in 3 steep ascents and descent of Butser Hill.  The organiser describe the run as follows ‘It is a demanding run and it is therefore essential that competitors are both medically and physically fit.’ ‘The course is rutted in places, with badger scrapes, rabbit holes and flint. I can also be slippery on bare chalk and if the grass is wet.’

I competed in this event last year in pea soup fog and side-ward rain. This year I fancied smashing last years’ time as the weather was ace and touching on the warm side, it was just the one hour Combat class to get through first.

I pitched up at Horizon Gym in Waterlooville nice and early, so far just me and one other waiting for the class, no sign of team pump as yet (so called because we all attend the Body Pump class, however upon reflection Team Combat sounds a hell of a lot better). I was starting to think I was being done over until Mike glided on over sporting his usual Southampton top, followed by Sophie and Ross, JT was on the Vodka last night so she will meet us at the hill. Dean (group instructor) is also signed up for the run so I was hoping that he would be talking it kinda easy, not too much work on the legs today, maybe I might get away with 75% effort. Fast forward one hour, I am feeling sort of broken, I haven’t done Combat for about 2 months and now I can’t find a place on me that doesn’t ache, It even hurts a bit to pull my top off over my head. Dean doesn’t do 75%, its 100% or nothing, I take some kind of masochistic pleasure that the next event is more my domain and that the tables will be turned, I still bloody ache though.

It’s a short drive to Butser hill and the gang meet up, we are all here apart from Dean. Colin turns up to be official photographer but not to take part (some lame excuse about having already done a triathlon that morning). I think the workout has actually warmed me up well and I am bang up for the challenge, the hill definitely looks a lot steeper when you are standing at the bottom of it, but I don’t mind a hill or two, and I train here sometimes so I know roughly how to tackle it.

It is getting closer to the gun and there is still no sign of Dean as we make our way to the start line. GPS aligned and ready as a fanfare of watch bleeps fills the air on the starter’s command of go.  There is only about 200 runners, so there is not a great deal of jostling for position, the tracks are quite wide at this point so you can run 3 or 4 broad and still easily pass if you need to. The first major obstacle wasn’t in fact the first ascent, it was more of an animal intrusion than an obstacle, we started to climb the first few feet of the incline when a sheep on our right hand side thought that now would be a good opportunity to get over to the left hand side, now I am sure that our woolly friends are used to seeing the odd group of trekkers and runners traipsing passed them on a Sunday morning, but I would imagine the sight of 200 people charging towards them might be enough to think that there grass chewing days are numbered and that they will soon they be accompanied with mint sauce. Bleating their disapproval or maybe encouragement the other sheep were egging on the one caught out on the right hand side of us to come and join them, thus resulting in a darting game of chicken as it ploughed in and out of the group of runners like a surreal game of Takeshi’s castle.

So onwards and upwards, quite literally, the first hill is ok, it goes on for a while but it is at more of a gradient so it isn’t so steep, don’t get me wrong it’s not easy but it is fine to plod away and keep the legs moving. At the top you can really see the rolling views of the hills and countryside around you, it’s truly beautiful and everywhere you look is like a picture postcard. This is perfect running territory and I am so lucky that these sort of places are right on my doorstep. Soon the downhill approaches, people have different ideas about running downhill, some take it slow and deliberate, some like to side step and careful pick their way down, I just like to open up my stride an attack it, like a kid running down a slope flaying his arms about so he doesn't fall over. I read somewhere that if you run quick downhill your body will still recover at the same rate as if you had taken it easy, and of course I want a good time so I push on hard and try not to fall over.

I am not a massively competitive person, I am with myself though and I like to beat my own times, but not usually with other people/runners, don’t get me wrong I will always see someone I want to beat, but this is more of a fartleking manoeuvre so I can achieve my goal, rather than any personal running vendetta against an individual, in today’s race however I felt a brewing of competitiveness twice, the first time was half way up the second hill.

Colin was waiting about 200 yards up the main ascend of Butser Hill, capturing a lovely camera shot of me smiling (obviously not pushing hard enough ha) as I began my assault of the grassy incline. I felt really good at this point, I was overtaking more people than were going past me and I felt really strong, the Combat class in the morning had actually warmed up my legs and they were eating up path ahead. About half way up a lady overtook me, she looked to be going really well, it was here when someone shouted at her that she was the second lady that my competitive streak stirred, I had to beat her, not because she was a woman, Christ I get well and truly beaten all the time by women, but because she was the target to aim for, if I could beat the second lady home I must be doing really well. Her blue top seemed to dance off further and further away as I chatted to my thighs to push harder, you have to really believe that the hard work in the gym and on the road accumulates for that moment when you need it the most, if you put trust in your legs that they can do it, they will, they might need a reminder and this is why I talk to them sometimes, usually a shout of ‘come on thighs’ is enough to do the trick! Powering towards the summit I refuse to stop and walk and take great pleasure in the fact that the second hill is almost done, just one more to go and the time is looking good.

Mrs Blue shirt is now at the top and disappearing left towards the second downhill of the race, I know I have to push hard on the next leg to catch her up, I spot her about 100 yards ahead and I stretch out to catch her up. She is getting nearer and nearer until suddenly she is next to me and then behind me, a small morale boosting victory is mine, I feel great, I know that if I can keep in front of her then I will get a good time, and with only one more hill coming up I must be assured of smashing my PB for this course, if only there was a photographer at the bottom of the hill and I would have surely treated him to a trademark heel click, I was kinda euphoric in this small battle that to be fair was only going on in my head, I was …. .. .. …. Being overtaken by Old Father Time!!!! 

Bosh, I hear a swooshing noise of the wind being sucked out of my sails, I don’t know why but all of a sudden I was competitive again. I have huge respect and admiration for the older runner, I absolutely do not expect to beat anyone of an older age because invariably my pre conceptions have been proven wrong in the past. I hope to be an older runner who surprises the nippers one day, but as for today I needed to beat this guy. I don’t mean to be rude when I called him Old Father Time, it was just what I had stuck in my head as he breezed past me in the last few metres of the descent and headed back on up the hill. His calves bulged and flexed as I ran up the single track behind him, there is no room to really overtake anyone here, not that I could have if I wanted to, this guy is a machine. This third and final climb is a lot steeper than the other two, it is also heavier underfoot with more mud and undergrowth to contend with, although this doesn’t seem to faze OFT as he bounds up the terrain like a grey bearded mountain goat. A few people are now walking, they let us pass on through, I can’t even say thanks, my lungs are somewhere in my throat and I am doing everything I can just to keep up, everything is screaming, thighs, calves, lungs, abs, yet still the distance between us is gradually increasing. When we get to the top he is well on his way towards the final descent, it’s about 400 metres or so of flat running before the turn for home. Walkers, marshals and families are cheering everyone on, boosting everyone, squeezing that last little bit of effort out of you, sometimes it’s just a little cheer that can get a big result.

The final downhill!!  As you are running down the hill you can see the finish line at the bottom, it still looks a mile away and the crowd are pretty much in the distance. Sod it lets just go for it, OFT seems to have the same idea and I think we are both balls out running now, slowly I am getting nearer, I’m not sure if I have started too early but I have to catch him! It only feels like I am making up inches but there is a lot of hill still left to run. I am aware that I am now making ‘sex noises’ as I use up everything I have in the tank to run him down, closer, closer, then boom I am on his shoulder, we run next to each other for a while, I am pretty sure he didn't want me to pass him either, I summon up my last bit of energy to edge past him, there is only about 50 yards left to go, it feels like a sprint finish but is more like a fast jog up to the finish line, I have time to look at the clock and over the line I go.

Medal presented I jog up to Colin and wait for the others to finish, Mike is next, then Ross, then an epic sprint to the finish which see’s JT just ahead of Sophie.

An awesome effort from Team Pump which see’s in a total climb of over 2600 feet.

I finished 43^rd in a time of 42 minutes 47 seconds and a total distance of 5 miles (according to my GPS watch) knocking over a minute off of last years’ time.

One final point to mention, not that I am one to name and shame, but Dean Wilson was not able to make this year’s Butser Challenge, so technically we are owed a race, how does Hellrunner sound 04^th January next year :o) . 

Me running behind Mrs Blue Shirt

Start of the main Butser Hill - Smiling !! 

In the background - Top of Butser Hill

Team Pump - Before and After

Medal and well deserved Pint !! 

Old Father Time

Victory Vixens !! Victory 5 15/09/2013

In May of this year I tentatively set up a Facebook Group after some initial interest from some friends and Mum’s at my daughter’s school. The objective was to pick a race at some point in the future and enter it as a ladies only group to raise money for Children with Cancer UK ltd. My first update on the site was as follows;

‘Attention all lady joggers. This FB page has been set up to use your 'get up and go' to get up and go running !! The aim is to run 5 miles, in September for a great charity Children with Cancer UK. Please use this page to discuss training schedules, upload pictures, arrange runs etc. Who knows, we could organise our own event next year. Remember pain is only temporary, but the satisfaction of achievement lasts forever. Let’s do this :o)’

Looking for a reasonable distance and a realistic training timetable I picked the Victory 5 Mile race organised by Portsmouth Joggers on the 15^th September. This would give about 4 months to train for it. The ladies who showed interest were a mix of those that had never run before and those who had run a little. 

Early on we had some injuries which depleted the gang, we lost Suzie and Fiona who had been training hard for the event. We now had a group of 5 runners who decided collectively on a name of the ‘Victory Vixens’. These consisted of Nikki Bone, Amanda Ware, Caroline Tyler and Sarah Fergusson. Nikki was a complete newcomer to running, whereas Mandy Caroline and Sarah had moderate experience of race day running and had completed the Great South Run previously.

We set up a Virgin Just Giving site for sponsorship; 

www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/victoryvixens 

and got down to the nitty gritty of training hard for this race. We promoted the group through friends and family, social networking and local groups and organisations. I had never met Sarah or Caroline before and was immensely chuffed that they joined the group and helped raise some serious cash and awareness for the charity. Nikki had a special reason for running this race, she had lost her nephew Daniel to Cancer when he was just 6 years old and it would have been his 13^th birthday in the week leading to race day. The generosity of her friends and family showed, and our target of £300 was well on its way to being hit already.

The determination and focus to go from running 0 miles to 5 miles was displayed on every training run (well most anyway) and the banter and support on the FB page was awesome. Mandy was eating up the miles up and down Southsea sea front whilst Caroline and Sarah was pounding the hills of Waterlooville, Nik and I tried to go out twice a week locally and incorporated some runs through Foxes Forest and the Sea Front too. The Vixens were certainly taking shape as race day was fast approaching.

The race itself is very flat, but being on the water’s edge means there is a high likelihood of wind at some point, it is very open and comprises of a there and back course with a loop of Lakeside 1000 (the previous IBM building). The 10k race was being run the same day and they would have to loop twice. The best thing is that the race starts and finishes on the running track at the Mountbatten Centre, this means that supporters have a great place to watch the start and finish, and on the day the runners will feel amazing as they sprint down the track ‘finish line’ bound.

Ok one final word about the supporters before we crack on with the race itself, this is a massive thank you to everyone that has supported in some way, to Justine and Dan who have had to fend for themselves whilst Nik and I have been out training, sometimes late into the evening. To the families and partners, sons and daughters who have been woefully neglected whilst everyone has got their jog on. To everyone that turned up on the day including Fiona, Lisa Steve and family, Joseph and Oscar whose fantastic display of breakdancing kept our minds occupied before the race started, and to Caroline’s husband and family for the cheers over the line.

Race Day!!

We all meet up in the sports hall and get our numbers, nervous and excited. This was the first time we had all been together. I was (and am) immensely proud of everyone that day, this has been months and months’ worth of fundraising and training and today was the day. We all have our charity vests on and it felt like we were a real team. An accumulation of all the hard work, the street pounding, the booze abstinent (ha ha yeah right), the fundraising, had all boiled down to this moment and I cannot tell you how emotional and proud it made me feel.

Venturing outside (with maybe one or two nervous WC trips) we presented ourselves to the chilly overcast conditions. There was a slight breeze in the air and all the signs of Autumnal weather were now dominantly apparent. The summer had given me a hope that it would still continue, that it wasn’t really over and that at any time soon I would swap my wind jacket for the sun tan lotion as we experienced a freak Indian summer that would continue to last until at least Christmas. No such luck today but at least it wasn't raining.

There was only about 20 minutes to the gun as we stretched, lunged and jogged to warm up. The Vixen’s families had taken camp near the final straight of the track to ensure maximum shouting and banner waving to convince a sprint finish out of weary legs. We all huddled together for the ‘before’ photo’s before walking to the other side of the track to take our positions. Dishing out high fives (Sarah you left me hanging) I separated from the girls and moved up a bit further up the track. I stood next to Steve who I sometimes see on the marathon circuit, he had a big race last week and next week is planning 3 marathons in 3 days, he is on his 94^th marathon and not long to go before joining the hallowed 100 marathon club and can wear their coveted singlet, Steve is a lot older than me and it goes to show exactly what you can do when you put your mind to it.       

For me I wanted to run the race in sub 32 minutes 30 seconds to keep me on track for a sub 40 minute 10k in October. The weather had turned out nice and there was only a slight chance of a drizzle which meant conditions were nigh on perfect. The 5 mile race is mainly a club race, this means that everyone is of a good standard, I was going to use this to my advantage and try and catch on to the coat-tails of the faster guys and keep with them for as long as possible.

The 5 mile and the 10k started at the same time, which meant there was a real mix of people and ability on the start line all mingled in with each other, it also meant there would be a fight finding position and pace in the first 400 metres or so. I was stuck on the inside about half way through the pack and indeed had to pick my way through gingerly before darting to the outside lane where it was clear.

The race started and off we went, after I had found the outside lane I set off at a pretty good pace, I could hear the supporters cheering us as I hit the first straight and rounded the corner towards the exit into the promenade. Schools of people were overtaking me at this point, I thought I was going at a pretty strong pace, however not as fast as the leading (Kenyan) runner as he quickly disappeared out of sight in the distance (he would later win by running under 5 minute miles). I was definitely being overtaken by more people than I was overtaking, I wasn’t disheartened as this was a club race and the standard would therefore be very high indeed, I wasn’t even set back when a small Father Christmas like character in a striped singlet breezed past me like I was standing still, I now know how he delivers all the presents so quickly on Christmas Day.

The first leg took us up to Hillsea Lido, I had already split this race into 5 unequal parts, I often do this in a race as it makes it easier to control my timings and also gives me targets to run to. The Lido was my first split, the second was up to Lakeside 1000, this was only a short distance but once it has been run it feels good that two parts are over and done with.

Our race coincided with the Ruby Ride for Rowans Hospice, I didn’t see any cyclists but their supporters were there and clapped and cheered us on as we went passed heading into the estate, a loop here saw us back on to the pavement and then down towards the Lido, splits 1, 2, 3 were complete. It was here where I picked up an award for having the most uncomfortable stitch. At first it was just a niggle which I thought I could run off, apparently it had other ideas though and decided to manifest and stick with me for a while, to be fair I have had nicer running buddies.

Split 4 completed and just the home straight to go, running round the corner and past the Lido and then boom, WIND!! It was like running into a small wall, I started to tire and just clocked in a very poor mile, I was making noises like I was chanting for rain but it seemed that I was overtaking people, this was just the little boost I needed to hoist up my skirt and push for home. Passing the one mile marker I always have a little saying in my head ‘this is now just 6 and a half minutes of your life Andy, don’t stop now!’

Heading for home I put a bounce in my step and grimaced against the wind, I could now see the turn into the track and pushed hard, I kind of forgot that there was another 400 metres to go once I had got there, which then seemed like another bloody mile! Just as my feet welcome the red spring of the track surface two ladies overtake me on the bend,  I kept close behind them though, I could hear the shouts of the supporters and cries of ‘come on Andy/Daddy’, and orders to ‘run faster’ and ‘sprint’. I started the sprint into the straight and swooped past the ladies, rounded the final bend and pushed over the line.

I gently jogged back over to where everyone was standing and handed my medal to Jessica, my time was acceptable considering how I felt, and I was only 20 seconds off of where I wanted to be at 32 minutes 51 seconds. I now wanted to go back and cheer the Vixens to the finish line.

I jogged back through the course and it wasn’t long before I saw Mandy, looking ace and in a brill time. I then saw Sarah, again looking good, I reminded her that not sprinting at the finish is not an option. Next was Nik and only a few yards behind was Caroline, both looking like they had put everything into the race. I peeled off at the track and waited until everyone had crossed the line.

Mandy 45 minutes 21 seconds

Sarah 48 minutes 07 seconds        

Nik 50 minutes 30 seconds

Caroline 50 minutes 35 seconds

PB’s have been broken, Sarah and Caroline smashed their predicted times, Mandy was bang on what she had expected and Nik beat her PB by 7 minutes.

I am so so proud of all of the Vixens and the fantastic time and effort that they have all put in, the total so far and with more to come is £545 before Gift Aid, and I reckon it will be more like £700 once all the money has been collected. What you have all done is amazing and you should all feel thoroughly proud of yourselves. Thank you so much ladies – A x

Vixen Nik Bone Blog

So after feeding my temple with the correct fuel for over a week the day had finally arrived.  I was a little nervous in the morning as I was eating my porridge oats but mostly excited. This was my big chance to show my nearest and dearest and all those generous money sponsors what I had been training for over the past few months.

The gun went off and we slowly started filing out of the stadium, I was feeling good until 3 minutes in when I noticed my shoe lace had come undone arrrghhh, Caroline Tyler and I had made a vow to stick together (ish) as we run a similar speed, so bless her over to the side we went so I could do the tightest double knot ever!!

All ran smoothly for the next two miles then my energy spurt kicked in and off I went at full speed for mile 3. By about mile 4 Caroline had caught me up again and running towards us in the distance was Andy (yeah yeah so you had finished already.. whatever). A reminder flashed through my mind at that point of how if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t even be at mile 4 or even at the race at all, but more importantly who I was doing it for also hit me, Daniel I hope I made you proud up there, and of course for me.

I am immensely proud of myself for last Sunday as a few months previous I couldn’t even get halfway down Stanley Avenue without stopping!! Tuesdays and Thursdays I ran with Andy patiently nurturing me and encouraging me all the way until BOOM my first 5 mile, without stopping!!!

So there you are, I did it, but I didn’t just ‘do it’ I ran it in my best time yet, shaving 7 minutes off of my best time as well.

As to whether I would do it again??... Yes I think I will. Have I caught the running bug??.. No sadly not!!! My interests just aren’t collecting medals and running faster and faster, but hey I’ve done it, I would do it again and I enjoyed it. Great experience shared with great company, I am a very very happy bunny xx

Vixen Caroline Tyler Blog

On September 15th, I took part in the Victory 5 as part of a team to raise money for Children with Cancer UK. We called ourselves the Victory Vixens (despite having one male in our pack!)

We trained hard throughout the summer but sadly we had 2 fallen vixens who succumbed to injuries along the way, but 5 of us made it to race day.

I was excited before the start, although much of that gave way to fear as I eyed up some serious runners on the track. Once the gun went off, there was no more time for nerves. Before we hit mile 1 we had our first set back in the form of a loose shoe lace. I gallantly waited for my fellow vixen Nikki to address it before we got back in with the pack.  

The mental battle began around mile 3 when we realised there was no water station; the remaining 2 miles was spent pretending we had saliva!  As we reached 3.5 miles, the dismal weather predictions kicked in and we were running straight into high winds. I literally pushed myself on, one leg at a time. A half mile off the finish I caught sight of our illustrious leader Andy who had run back to push us on the last leg, it was a much needed boost. Entering the track for the final circuit I saw my family cheering me on and almost dissolved on the spot.  Rounding the bend for the last 200 metres and I heard the rest of the vixens shouting support, it gave me the last bit of strength I needed.

I’m not sure what was more staggering, the fact that I finished or that I shaved 6 minutes off my personal best!  Amazing feeling.