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Boghopping at Worsthorne

KEVIN SMITH 4 AUG 2013
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The bog monster stole my shoe! I'm still very new to off-road running so I set off today with a slightly nervous feeling and despite the many greetings from the huge TAC turnout I wasn't entirely confident. I'm not sure I enjoyed Ken Livesey's explanation of the course, believing ignorance is bliss but at least it gave me some idea of when to push and when to hold back.

A long uphill start wasn't my idea of fun but I was feeling good at the top of the hill and in decent shape and almost beginning to enjoy it. However as soon as the technical section started I could feel myself beginning to struggle and whilst it was a race, I was mindful of those behind and made an effort to allow overtaking without disrupting what little rhythm I could maintain.

But disaster struck just as we we coming to the end of the fell section where I made a rookie mistake of stepping in a deep bog where my right shoe decided it could go on no further and left me hopping into the distance. Whilst briefly debating whether I could hop to the finish I turned round to go back and retrieve it. Autumn Howard was passing and tried in vein to reunite me with said shoe but it turned out I needed to two hands to pull it out it was that wedged!

Feeling slightly dejected as I continued the race with the correct amount of footwear, I slowed a little and took in some views, maybe this wasn't so bad afterall? The run past the reservoir was pleasant and I naively thought we were getting close to the finish line, how wrong could I be, maybe I should have paid more attention to Ken! However as the second hill started I felt pretty strong and began to overtake some runners who were perhaps feeling the heat by now.

Somehow I managed to reach the top with a good turn of pace for me and began the deceptively tricky downhill finish, which was rocky and undulating, and being a big jessie I was taking it steady and got overtaken a few times.

Turning into the field for the sprint finish I thought I'd have a bash at overtaking the CleM runner in front. I could sense she was also picking up her pace and in a moment of adrenaline I was sprinting down the hill, entirely out of control but also thinking whether dipping your head like a 100m runner at the finish line is poor form?

Despite cries of "one on" from the CleM boys I pipped her by the narrowest of margins. We caught up with each other a few moment later and shook hands knowing it was all part of the fun of racing.

A well deserved pint with new member Paul Redman and my cousin Chris Mayor topped of a very enjoyable morning.

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