Beast Bach 2014

I was quite nervous at the start, and when we set off I was surprised to be at the front with a handful of men. I tried to stay with them, and was aware that I was the leading woman, but my heart rate was probably a bit higher than I would have liked, so I eased off a bit.

At the start lovely trails through the woods

I was then passed by a woman, and I let her go, thinking I may be able to catch her up later on. She was in my sight the whole way, but towards the end there was no way I was going to catch her, she was nearly a minute in front.

A lot of elevation!

The route was hilly, boggy, and really good fun. I haven’t done a race like that since living in Sheffield, and the first downhill to the water station was awesome, a few men lost their shoes ahead of me in the bog, but I managed to stay shod! The marshals and supporters on the course were brilliant. I felt especially sorry for the man at the top of the cairn making sure we all went round it. It was pretty blowy and wet by the time I got there, and he shouted out “you look as fit as a butchers dog, lass” to me, which made me smile!

A long uphill

It was then up again and downhill all the way back, where there was amazing cakes, tea and free cawl for runners in the Community hall in Maenclochog.

Prizegiving

The race was really well organised, I would definitely do it again, thanks to Carwyn Phillips and all the marshals.

You can’t beat a slate coaster 🙂