My son James is a member of Isle of Wight Road Runners. I am a nominal member in as much as I pay the membership fee and join them for the odd club night run. The IWRR are a fantastic club and James gets a massive amount out of being a member - which is really tremendous for him.
Yesterday (Sunday) the Club organised a non official club run. There were no prizes, timings, water stations or marshalling as such. I believe it was a trial / dummy run for a future to be organised event.
Having said that my son James sold me a bit of a pup. He said there were going to loads of people there - families - dogs - all doing there own thing - low key - walking sometimes and plenty of chatting - not serious!
On Friday night in the pub we were talking about it. I had no plans for the weekend other than domestic stuff and the weather forecast was a mixed bag. The previous weekend I had done the bike ride and it reminded me very strongly how much I love being outdoors in the late autumn - the colours and the smells can be just atmospheric and special. Anyway in a moment of something, I said I could do the Shide (Newport) to The Spyglass (Ventnor) event. I knew it was 10 miles off road, lots of hills and mud. My rationale - I can walk the 10 miles if I have to. My plan was to jog and walk and chat as necessary - no pressure - and just enjoy being out there. ( I had to take James to the start anyway and George was picking James up from Ventnor so I could easily tag along.)
Anyway we get to Shide for the start. Immediately I think to myself "what am I doing"? While everyone was friendly and inclusive and the club is very encouraging and supportive, it was evident this was a Club run. I am not a club runner - I am now an occasional jogger. I did a 10k in February and run 2 or 3 times a week over 2 or 3 miles. A 4 miler would be unusual.
There was the shortest of briefings - but two things I latched onto. The first was we would all try and meet up at The Stenbury Obelisk for a group photo! This was approximately the half way point and more significantly - the highest point - 600 ft above sea level. The second was Aaron would be the "Back Marker"!
Immediately I feel under pressure. I don't want anyone hanging around for me. I explain to Aaron he doesn't have to wait around for me - I can find my way to Ventnor. He is having none of it - he doesn't mind how long it takes. But still! I chat to Elaine one of the main club runners. I tell her there is no need for them all to wait for me for a photograph at the obelisk. She laughs - is very easy going and supportive - you will be fine. We will wait - no problem!
Blimey I owe it to everyone to do my best - to run it as well as I can! I repeat - I don't want anyone hanging around in the cold for me.
It is a lovely autumn morning. We set off at 9.30 on the old railway track. I know the first half well enough. It is flat for 5 miles. Lots of puddles and mud because we have had a lot of rain. There was nowhere to hide on this first 5 miles. There is plenty of chatter - not so much from me. I doggedly jog. It is not too embarrassing.
We skirt Godshill - it is now up to Stenbury. It is beautiful - a late autumn sun is low is the sky. The light is great. Gradually the panoramas are opening up (not that I was looking that much I have to admit). It is a very steep climb and very slippery as some of it is turf only or unmade paths. In some ways it a relief for me. No one can run as such - it is a leveller. I am ok on hills but still last to the top. As promised they are waiting at the Obelisk (although rightly the speedsters had long gone.) we have the photo. ( I can see the runners have been waiting and getting cold but they are all cheerful and friendly - thank you). I am reassured the worst is over - now more or less down hill to The Spyglass pub!
We are jogging in a wonderful place. Quiet down land - unspoilt - 360 degree views of the Island. Ventnor lays down below us - some way ahead with the massive sparking sea behind. It is mostly down hill but not entirely - some very slippery up hills too but by now I am pretty much reconciled to the reality. I will get there. I am putting the effort in as much as I reasonably can. Aaron is relaxed and chatting away. My legs are stiffening up but more and more it is steep and often slippery down hill. Knees ache more on the down hills. We get to 9 miles. One more to go. We zig zag down towards Ventnor - some lovely paths I have never been on before. We get down to the Botanical Garden. Blimey this is a long last mile! Aaron then tells me it is not a 10 mile run but just over 11. Another mile to go! Down the steps to lovely Steephill Cove and along the sea wall towards Ventnor. We have to go over one more steep bluff. There is a very steep zig zag path and then an arrow with ha ha written beside it pointing to a horrendous flight of steps. A few more hundred yards. We arrive The Spyglass.
Most of the other runners are in the beer garden - food is coming out - they have been there a while! Everyone is happy. We chat about the run. It was a great thing to do. James has plenty of ammunition to pull my leg about my running!
Thank you Isle of Wight Road Runners for organising the run (especially Pat). Thank you all for the patience and support from everyone especially Aaron.
It was a simple but tremendous thing to do on a damp Sunday. The simplest pleasures are free - or almost free. For myself I did the 11 miles and I have got to be pleased with that. Like so often in life - ultimately the physical challenge plays second fiddle to the mental challenge. It is getting your head right.
Just as a footnote - I was chatting to Stuart Backhouse in the pub. He does ultra runs. He completed a 100 miles in 22 hours. That is really incredible!
Here are a few photos :
Yesterday (Sunday) the Club organised a non official club run. There were no prizes, timings, water stations or marshalling as such. I believe it was a trial / dummy run for a future to be organised event.
Having said that my son James sold me a bit of a pup. He said there were going to loads of people there - families - dogs - all doing there own thing - low key - walking sometimes and plenty of chatting - not serious!
On Friday night in the pub we were talking about it. I had no plans for the weekend other than domestic stuff and the weather forecast was a mixed bag. The previous weekend I had done the bike ride and it reminded me very strongly how much I love being outdoors in the late autumn - the colours and the smells can be just atmospheric and special. Anyway in a moment of something, I said I could do the Shide (Newport) to The Spyglass (Ventnor) event. I knew it was 10 miles off road, lots of hills and mud. My rationale - I can walk the 10 miles if I have to. My plan was to jog and walk and chat as necessary - no pressure - and just enjoy being out there. ( I had to take James to the start anyway and George was picking James up from Ventnor so I could easily tag along.)
Anyway we get to Shide for the start. Immediately I think to myself "what am I doing"? While everyone was friendly and inclusive and the club is very encouraging and supportive, it was evident this was a Club run. I am not a club runner - I am now an occasional jogger. I did a 10k in February and run 2 or 3 times a week over 2 or 3 miles. A 4 miler would be unusual.
There was the shortest of briefings - but two things I latched onto. The first was we would all try and meet up at The Stenbury Obelisk for a group photo! This was approximately the half way point and more significantly - the highest point - 600 ft above sea level. The second was Aaron would be the "Back Marker"!
Immediately I feel under pressure. I don't want anyone hanging around for me. I explain to Aaron he doesn't have to wait around for me - I can find my way to Ventnor. He is having none of it - he doesn't mind how long it takes. But still! I chat to Elaine one of the main club runners. I tell her there is no need for them all to wait for me for a photograph at the obelisk. She laughs - is very easy going and supportive - you will be fine. We will wait - no problem!
Blimey I owe it to everyone to do my best - to run it as well as I can! I repeat - I don't want anyone hanging around in the cold for me.
It is a lovely autumn morning. We set off at 9.30 on the old railway track. I know the first half well enough. It is flat for 5 miles. Lots of puddles and mud because we have had a lot of rain. There was nowhere to hide on this first 5 miles. There is plenty of chatter - not so much from me. I doggedly jog. It is not too embarrassing.
We skirt Godshill - it is now up to Stenbury. It is beautiful - a late autumn sun is low is the sky. The light is great. Gradually the panoramas are opening up (not that I was looking that much I have to admit). It is a very steep climb and very slippery as some of it is turf only or unmade paths. In some ways it a relief for me. No one can run as such - it is a leveller. I am ok on hills but still last to the top. As promised they are waiting at the Obelisk (although rightly the speedsters had long gone.) we have the photo. ( I can see the runners have been waiting and getting cold but they are all cheerful and friendly - thank you). I am reassured the worst is over - now more or less down hill to The Spyglass pub!
We are jogging in a wonderful place. Quiet down land - unspoilt - 360 degree views of the Island. Ventnor lays down below us - some way ahead with the massive sparking sea behind. It is mostly down hill but not entirely - some very slippery up hills too but by now I am pretty much reconciled to the reality. I will get there. I am putting the effort in as much as I reasonably can. Aaron is relaxed and chatting away. My legs are stiffening up but more and more it is steep and often slippery down hill. Knees ache more on the down hills. We get to 9 miles. One more to go. We zig zag down towards Ventnor - some lovely paths I have never been on before. We get down to the Botanical Garden. Blimey this is a long last mile! Aaron then tells me it is not a 10 mile run but just over 11. Another mile to go! Down the steps to lovely Steephill Cove and along the sea wall towards Ventnor. We have to go over one more steep bluff. There is a very steep zig zag path and then an arrow with ha ha written beside it pointing to a horrendous flight of steps. A few more hundred yards. We arrive The Spyglass.
Most of the other runners are in the beer garden - food is coming out - they have been there a while! Everyone is happy. We chat about the run. It was a great thing to do. James has plenty of ammunition to pull my leg about my running!
Thank you Isle of Wight Road Runners for organising the run (especially Pat). Thank you all for the patience and support from everyone especially Aaron.
It was a simple but tremendous thing to do on a damp Sunday. The simplest pleasures are free - or almost free. For myself I did the 11 miles and I have got to be pleased with that. Like so often in life - ultimately the physical challenge plays second fiddle to the mental challenge. It is getting your head right.
Just as a footnote - I was chatting to Stuart Backhouse in the pub. He does ultra runs. He completed a 100 miles in 22 hours. That is really incredible!
Here are a few photos :
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| The start at Shide |
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| James in the mud |
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| Almost at The Stenbury Obelisk |
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| Aaron nursed me around |
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| mud and hills |
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| Stenbury Obelisk - sorry you had to wait! |
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