363/365 A mudfest with Long Ashton RC, 8 miles by Big Kev

363/365 A mudfest with Long Ashton RC, 8 miles by Big Kev

What a beautiful day to go running, the frost had set hard and the sun was shining bright when I reached the Cafe at Ashton Court this morning. The promise of some off road running with lashings of mud was to big a draw to get out of bed this morning. Also if I am honest the nights sleep was quite broken, the nerves and anticipation of almost being at the end are setting in.

So with plenty of layers keeping me warm I waited for the group to turn up, first Ed and Greg and then Mark and Ben. Finally as we had almost given up on everyone else joining us Dave and Gary appeared. With no set plan off we set, Mark leading the way and taking us vertically up from the Mansion house to the top of the hill. That certainly cleared the lungs. We then made our way across the plateau and out toward Abbots Pool. From there a left turn into Snakes Well wood, and our first mud bath. some more hills and then a turn into East Tanpit wood and plenty more mud! We then find ourselves coming out of West Tanpit wood and heading back toward Failand and some more mud (thanks for the festive route change Ben). Finally we descend back into Ashton Court and drop our runners off one by one as they head off in different directions. With Just Dave, Gary, Ben and myself laughing about the events of the day, Dave misjudges the depth of the mud in front of him and in his haste leaves a shoe buried in it! Once recovered and photographic evidence taken, we are on our way back to the cafe for coffee.

What a brilliant run, I love the mud.

Once we have stretched and have a coffee inside of us, my thoughts turn to the last day. At which point Roger turns up and completes my marshalling contingent, as a niggling injury is going to stop him from running, thanks Roger. No sooner than that is sorted then a final logistical issue is also sorted for NYE's morning, thanks Alison.

On my return home I am greeted with a rush of emails and justgiving alerts, so a big thank you to Ed, Jen, Tom and Anonymous you have pushed us very close to the £3,000 mark, who wants to push us over the edge?

www.justgiving.com/kevin-caple

Big Kev

2 to go! (I am guesstimating thats about 12 miles!)