Run > Run-Walk

Rhonda Rollercoaster 26.5M and 5200ft officially. Great day out with Rich again and the weather was brill despite the poor forecasts, got sunburnt face and topped up my Canaries tan elsewhere Navigation a little tricky in places (note to self - take a compass) as there were many parts where we had to cross expanses of rough ground with nod trods to follow. However, there were points where my navigation and sense of direction was more spot on than those with compasses and people commented on this We set off 5mins before the mass start as we were in a rush to get back to Brum for Brodie's bday evening and by CP1 Mynydd Y Glyn (3M & 1032ft) we had already been caught by the first 3 walkers and from the trig point could see small groups approaching. Could tell the walkers were very serious and a little miffed at the front asking what time we had set off at and passing comments about this event being a MASS START! Rich and I had to laugh

We then relied on them and their compasses (once they had argued it out with each other) for the next mile to see us through the rough (although the serious WALKERS were RUNNING, I resisted making any comments about the RUNNERS mass start being at 9:30, not 8:30) and when I could pick up where we were on the route description, we ran off One of them was hot on our heels though and caught with us just before CP 2 (7.75M & 1980ft) telling me that my navigation was "spot on". There was a tone of suprise in his voice which I ignored and took the compliment onboard White Man serious walker arrived at the CP too whilst we were there and wasn't hanging around.

Off we set again more climbing but some good down too towards the end and during this section a couple of runners passed us (don't think the serious walkers were too pleased). Lots of nice scenery and then we were at CP 3 (15M & 3169ft) for lunch 1st Female runner joined us here. We sat for a while to enjoyed the fresh sarny's but serious walkers 1 & 2 were off like a shot! We never saw them again. After chats with organiser and abit of a rest we were off again. Legs were tired of the ups and I really felt the next climb to the windfarm, where we had to be re-routed and go well out of our way because of construction work. Had to jump a huge trench and marvelled at the size of these wind turbines before another area of rough which I coped with extremely well this time. Wasn't long before we started the climb to the top of the huge summit we could see to the left of us. "Looks like a spoilheap" I kept saying but it was the highest point in miles and the route description stated it was a self clip CP and we had to have 'A COMPULSARY 5 MINUTE BREAK TO ADMIRE THE VIEWS'. Wonder what the name of this hill is? searching the route descrition .... and there it was ...... 'Tylorstown Tip' Hmmmm!! Great views though SELF CLIP (20M & 4885ft).
Much of the last section now was runnable and we did well on our tired legs the next CP was a lovely pub in the middle of nowhere up high. Sun was beating down on us but because of time restraints with getting back we had to resist the urge to buy a pint (CP 4 21.25M & 5000ft).
As we left this CP a group of 3 very serious looking runners passed heading to the CP and Rich and I passed comment on how well we must be doing for runners to be passing us so late in the event, even though they did start an hour after us!! Lots of running again in this last section and found and followed the course redirection which was due to a motocross event. Was great to see and hear the racing cars wizzing round just above us and at last we made our way down to the finish CP 5 27M & 5570ft of ascent. Well done us and what a lovely day 7:21