After a little research I came across this race which appeared to fit the bill, a nice course, not too far to travel and flat, what better an event to try my hand at a longer trail run.
Training was sporadic to say the least, managing to get in just one 11 mile run I wasn't feeling the most confident but on the advice from a few folk I decided to give it a go without any time expectations (well not many anyway).
The race was due to start at 8:30am with my wave at 8:35, so an early set off was required to arrive in Windsor at 7am, I do like to have time to have a little mill around.
Access was easy, upon leaving the M4 the official car park ( A school field) was clearly signposted and cost £5 which would carry you though until 3 in the afternoon should you wish a little tour of Windsor post race.
All parked up it was about a 5 or 10 minute (again well signposted) walk to the race village which was already basking in early morning sunshine. There is something about a race village pre start time, all of the energy, enthusiasm, anticipation, it is quite contagious, as is the need for the loo.
The setting was lovely beside the river with Windsor Castle in the near distance and the morning was glorious and gradually getting warmer and warmer.
I took my turn in the loo queue and once relieved headed to the very simple bag check half listening to the pre race briefing, mmm half listening that wasn't so good.
We were instructed that the start was on the opposite side of the river and a caterpillar of runners gradually made there way across the bridge to the inflatable starting gate and timing mats.
We all lined up at the start and were set off in relatively small groups due to the narrow nature of the early part of the course, it was already hot as far as I was concerned and I tried to get into a steady if not dynamic pace.
Once out of the starting field we were onto tree covered trails along the river bank. These varied from one person to 4 people wide so you needed to be aware of who was in front or behind with friendly runners etiquette.
The ground was uneven with tree roots stones and undulations to be aware of but nothing really too onerous.
Every now and again we would find ourselves in a clearer area able to see the boats and rather magnificent houses on the opposite side of the river.
There were a few kissing gates to traverse but these were held open and road crossings were manned to enable as uninterrupted a flow through as possible.
Another runner asked "Have we missed the drinks station", I suddenly felt thirsty, "Errm I certainly hope not" I replied looking around rather frantically, we ran on for another 5 minutes or so and finally came across some friendly people with a relatively small table full of plastic water cups.
A group of runners had sensibly stopped to grab a drink, however being the consummate professional and terrified of stopping, I swooped past grabbing a cup which promptly crumpled in my hand sending water up my arm.
I managed to get the cup to my mouth and swallow about a thimble full before pouring the remainder down my chin.....that went well.
The water debacle would probably have been slightly more worrying had something not suddenly popped into my head, nipple tape, or rather lack of it, that was the thing I was looking for earlier when I had forgotten what I was looking for.
Now that familiar burning sensation under my shirt was giving me a rather untimely reminder. I tried to run a way pulling my shirt away from my chest, however apart from looking like a guy trying to do a Dolly Parton impression this was not going to be a solution.
I let my shirt go and focussed on my achy legs, when the legs were too achy I focussed on my burning nipples, this went on for a while until I decided focusing was overrated and attention went back to my surroundings.
We were in quite an open area at this stage and I found myself in a bit of a gap in runners, obviously support on trail runs is restricted to the occasional enthusiastic marshal who in fairness are great, however at times where you struggle the lack of the support you can get at road races is sorely missed.
I saw a photographer in the distance and tried to crack a wry smile, to cover the fact that I was in a bit of a hole, people always say "Smile you've paid to be here" so I smiled, well kinda.
Mile 8 to 9 was really the worst I was a bit dehydrated and struggling with the heat the next water station was at a road crossing, another small table of plastic cups. I reviewed my options, slowed right down, took 2 cups and ran into the woman in front of me, oops, terribly sorry!
I needed a proper drink so slowed to a walk while I drank then trotted on again.
Another 4 miles another brief water intake and finally in sight of the finish, I tried to break into a glorious finishing sprint but it was not to be and I was overtaken by two women far fresher than me, well done ladies!
Across the finishing mats and handed a rather nice medal a bottle of water and a bottle of chocolate milk, happy days!
I finished 412 out of 620 finishers in 2:13:56 but that really didn't matter I'd completed my first race of the year which was a huge relief after deferral gate in April.
I chatted to a couple of girls who were doing the obligatory post race stretching next to me, both had enjoyed it, neither expected the heat, and as usual they were as friendly as runners have a tendency to be in my experience.
So to sum up
- Good race
- Lovely route, flat, trail and gravel and narrow in a good number of areas
- Well organised - but please add some extra water stations and get rid of plastic cups
- Friendly
- Easy to access
- Nice medal
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