Tips and Quotes

At least I’m not expected to run today, I have the honour and responsibility of leading the runners around the course on a mountain bike. First job is to take a look for myself and make sure I know the route. The winter snows and the last few days of rain have taken their toll, the start meadow is water logged and has made the whole course exceptionally muddy.

 

The start is nervous for all the competitors and for me, I better not slip my chain or miss my footing, otherwise 300 plus runners will have another obstacle to contend with. A smooth start as usual and half a dozen guys are off in front immediately.

 

Leading out of the meadow, the first short road section takes you to the toughest part of the course, a short sharp slippery hill. The only good part is that it is wide and everyone can spread out, trying to find the best footing. My earlier checks have shown that the foresters have cut back the bushes and the remaining branches have provided some much needed traction.

 

Unfortunately for me the lead runners can run up that slop as fast than I can ride, but as I have a fragile ego and a biking reputation to uphold, I ‘dig in’ on each lap to stay ahead! Up top I see someone filming the action, so mask the particularly high heart rate by keeping a controlled look on my face, quite difficult! The rest of the course with its mixture of both path and off road is easier for me to maintain a rhythm, plenty of time to look after the leaders, slaloming through the dog walkers and spectators, composing myself for the next time up the hill!

 

Towards the end of each lap, a fast descent for me and the runner’s drops through the trees and leads out into the open in front of yet more spectators, family and friends waiting patiently in the cold to offer encouragement. At this point everyone is fair game for the commentator with their microphone! It’s a lift for them and fairly insulting to me, they don’t like me to feel left out!

 

I have the best seat in the house for watching the action on race day. It’s a tough course and a great test for the early season racers and fun runners also. The atmosphere provided by organisers, marshals, spectators and competitors makes this a great day out.

 

Finally, all I know is that in the future I’m staying on the bike………..because I can!

 

Happy running, see you at the next event…..