Nicky: Day 69 Exmoor Stagger

Nicky: Day 69 Exmoor Stagger by knickerscat at Garmin Connect - Details

Having lived in the area for 13 years, this is the first time I have actually done this trail race. Was pretty excited (why?) about today.
Got picked up at 08:30 for the drive over to Minehead. Cup of tea & chat with our other club runners.
Race started at 11:00. Felt fine - steady pace for most of the first 3m (well the bits that were not up hill anyway). Race then split into the 16m Stagger & 6m Stumble.

Had a long steep down hill (not nice knowing that 3m from the end we would be coming up this beast!!). Very muddy & a bit slippery in places.

Then a 3ish mile drag up to the top of Dunkery Beacon (highest point on Exmoor). Not toooooo steep but constant & very very rocky which was pretty tough under foot. This was followed by a steep rocky muddy down before hitting a very pleasant undulating trail for 4ish miles. Through  a couple of streams which temporarily washed the mud from my once clean shoes!

Hit the beastish hill & crawled up - had to keep stopping for a breather. I am too old for this game (thats my exscuse anyway  :)!!  From the top of the nasty hill it was a lovely 2m down hill through the trees to the finish. Quads burning like hell so think I am going to be a bit stiff tomorrow. Going to give speed training a miss Monday night.

Shame about the constant fog as we couldnt see any of the apparently lovely views over the moor & Bristol channel to Wales. Maybe a good think I also couldnt see the tops of the hills.

6 of us from our club did the Stagger and finished within 17mins of each other - pretty good!!