The Berkeley Marathons UK - the run
6:45pm, 10th Sep 2023 | The Berkeley Marathons UK | 13 Comments
Blog by geordiegirl
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Following from pre run…. Now the run
Laz is renowned for starting the race at an undefined fine (thankfully Paul wasn’t that cruel) and with a cigarette before setting them off, Paul doesn’t smoke so downed a can of beer then we were off. Of course you get dragged along and I was a little way out when I realised I hadn’t started my watch it was on GPX with map and I just forgot.
We settled into a comfortable pace, Eve doesn’t really run more power hikes as an accident in the army left her with metal rods in her back - incredible. So we trotted. The grass was soaking from the heavy dew so wet feet from the off (which caused me problems later) it was misty but obvious that it would burn off and we were not wrong.
Along through fields we found ourselves in amongst a large group of runners and chatted along the way. We got to checkpoint 1 the box was open so got our pages passed the book on and went. We made our first mistake going under the bridge to turn left and we should have taken a left before. Thankfully we didn’t go too far before realising.
Carried on and with the error we were back with the group. We went through another field seeing the group pondering the map we then spotted a tiny break in the hedge (very easy to miss which became a theme of the day) noting the orchard and knowing we’d find the gap on lap 2. Onward to checkpoint 2 where we made an error passing pages out to the large group and causing a big delay for us.
We kept going, kept getting on the wrong track then back in the right track it was so so easy to go wrong.
We came out of a field to find a cornfield OMG they are so high. Pick a gap and get through it. We commented how this could be harder on lap 2. From there downhill and as we ran round the field we spotted our first tap!! Downed some water and topped up. From here we got checkpoint 3 then the start of the climbs. Up a nice steep hill…. Along then down a hill before turning and going straight back up along then down and on the on return up my wet foot played up and I had the start of blister. Fixed with comped and tape and on we went. Bit gutted as it allowed the group to close on us. Along the golf course and we were down hill again the trail was horrendous very over grown fallen trees to navigate but we continued. Down to checkpoint 4 where our crew were waiting, there was a pub Nicky filled bottles again, toilet stop then we were off only to discover we’d turned too early so going back up the right way we had a much nicer path!
Water again at the top by the golf course and we refilled again. Through more trails woods and fields reaching the bottom of a other hill a kindly homeowner had installed a tap outside the house for walkers which we were allowed to use so another good drink and refil - this was the last at 14ish miles (there was a pub before the tower but probably less than a mile away) Before long we were heading for The Tower I’m not good with spiral towers but it had to be done so up we went Eve was in front and we had made steps 76 & 80 when she shouted down….
The clue is on the fence!!! Nicky took one for the team and went back down to get the sign saying ‘only kidding it’s under the box’ we were not very polite about Paul & Laz at this point 😂
Our crew popped up again and it was such a boost. Onwards on what should have been the flatter section back and we thought would go quickly but it was like the Bermuda Triangle! We made a few slight wrong turns one going through a thistle field to realise we should have been in the adjacent field and it was uphill back…. Thankfully we found a barbed wire fence that had been adapted and possible to climb it (carefully) but all the wrongs we noted mentally for next time.
We were in good spirits but struggling with lack of water. We had a ploughed field that was hard going, the sun was relentless. We kept on chatting, some cows helped us avoid another wrong turn as they ran across the field so we went round the field only to spot the actual turning we needed (throws cows) phew.
Saw the girls again not long after but that was the last time they’d see us until we got back. The said they had sausages and other things to make for us getting in. Such a luxury (although they did have food available at the venue too)
We knew we went through a deer park and I forgot to mention some areas were out of bounds as you could avoid the hills! One such just before said deer park. We missed a track thinking it was out of bounds to go right through a field and up the next field when my watch said we were off course. Back we went less than happy with ourselves. At the top of the climb there was 2 options to the left behind the trees (that weren’t on the map) or in front. We climbed the hill to the left deciding it was in front so down and up the next climb only to be on the wrong side of the fence for the park….. down and up again then!
By now we were about 9hrs in and started to think sensibly it was going to be over 10hrs, give ourselves a half hour turn around took us to about 11hrs, if we took another 10 we would be getting in about 5am and would the darkness make it longer or about the same if we made less mistakes? Myself and Eve had a good 5hr drive, Nicky was working all day at the stand. We made a decision to stop at 1. I was disappointed as we all were but also knew we had 2 laps in us easily and we were in great shape to smash it.
So we got back and stopped. Paul tried to convince us to go again but understood why we didn’t. We then enjoyed the rest of the night.
Sausage butties, beer, shower, waiting on Vic & Stu coming in, I crewed for Stu going out on lap 3 which was quite nice actually and tidied his stuff up so it was organised for him getting back in on the morning.
I was late to bed waiting for Stu & Vic going back out then made my way down to my tent and I slept like a log. I woke a few times and checked where the guys were and spotted that Vic was at 5k to go so we all went up to cheer her in. Stu made it with 10min to spare after sending me a video message before realising he had the wrong page number so a quick run back to the checkpoint.
I am sad I didn’t do 2 but know it was the right decision I was tired enough driving home and I’ll get it next year! Few pics.
Nicky & Eve have ran some tough runs, Marathion de Sables, Attacama Desert, Nepal, New Zealand, Grand to Grand to name a few, Vic aka The Happy Runner what hasn’t she done? Stu a seasoned fell runner who has done Bob Graham a couple of times. Supports runners doing rounds is a very strong runner - when they all commented how tough it is puts it into perspective - chuffed I managed it can’t wait to go back.
Laz is renowned for starting the race at an undefined fine (thankfully Paul wasn’t that cruel) and with a cigarette before setting them off, Paul doesn’t smoke so downed a can of beer then we were off. Of course you get dragged along and I was a little way out when I realised I hadn’t started my watch it was on GPX with map and I just forgot.
We settled into a comfortable pace, Eve doesn’t really run more power hikes as an accident in the army left her with metal rods in her back - incredible. So we trotted. The grass was soaking from the heavy dew so wet feet from the off (which caused me problems later) it was misty but obvious that it would burn off and we were not wrong.
Along through fields we found ourselves in amongst a large group of runners and chatted along the way. We got to checkpoint 1 the box was open so got our pages passed the book on and went. We made our first mistake going under the bridge to turn left and we should have taken a left before. Thankfully we didn’t go too far before realising.
Carried on and with the error we were back with the group. We went through another field seeing the group pondering the map we then spotted a tiny break in the hedge (very easy to miss which became a theme of the day) noting the orchard and knowing we’d find the gap on lap 2. Onward to checkpoint 2 where we made an error passing pages out to the large group and causing a big delay for us.
We kept going, kept getting on the wrong track then back in the right track it was so so easy to go wrong.
We came out of a field to find a cornfield OMG they are so high. Pick a gap and get through it. We commented how this could be harder on lap 2. From there downhill and as we ran round the field we spotted our first tap!! Downed some water and topped up. From here we got checkpoint 3 then the start of the climbs. Up a nice steep hill…. Along then down a hill before turning and going straight back up along then down and on the on return up my wet foot played up and I had the start of blister. Fixed with comped and tape and on we went. Bit gutted as it allowed the group to close on us. Along the golf course and we were down hill again the trail was horrendous very over grown fallen trees to navigate but we continued. Down to checkpoint 4 where our crew were waiting, there was a pub Nicky filled bottles again, toilet stop then we were off only to discover we’d turned too early so going back up the right way we had a much nicer path!
Water again at the top by the golf course and we refilled again. Through more trails woods and fields reaching the bottom of a other hill a kindly homeowner had installed a tap outside the house for walkers which we were allowed to use so another good drink and refil - this was the last at 14ish miles (there was a pub before the tower but probably less than a mile away) Before long we were heading for The Tower I’m not good with spiral towers but it had to be done so up we went Eve was in front and we had made steps 76 & 80 when she shouted down….
The clue is on the fence!!! Nicky took one for the team and went back down to get the sign saying ‘only kidding it’s under the box’ we were not very polite about Paul & Laz at this point 😂
Our crew popped up again and it was such a boost. Onwards on what should have been the flatter section back and we thought would go quickly but it was like the Bermuda Triangle! We made a few slight wrong turns one going through a thistle field to realise we should have been in the adjacent field and it was uphill back…. Thankfully we found a barbed wire fence that had been adapted and possible to climb it (carefully) but all the wrongs we noted mentally for next time.
We were in good spirits but struggling with lack of water. We had a ploughed field that was hard going, the sun was relentless. We kept on chatting, some cows helped us avoid another wrong turn as they ran across the field so we went round the field only to spot the actual turning we needed (throws cows) phew.
Saw the girls again not long after but that was the last time they’d see us until we got back. The said they had sausages and other things to make for us getting in. Such a luxury (although they did have food available at the venue too)
We knew we went through a deer park and I forgot to mention some areas were out of bounds as you could avoid the hills! One such just before said deer park. We missed a track thinking it was out of bounds to go right through a field and up the next field when my watch said we were off course. Back we went less than happy with ourselves. At the top of the climb there was 2 options to the left behind the trees (that weren’t on the map) or in front. We climbed the hill to the left deciding it was in front so down and up the next climb only to be on the wrong side of the fence for the park….. down and up again then!
By now we were about 9hrs in and started to think sensibly it was going to be over 10hrs, give ourselves a half hour turn around took us to about 11hrs, if we took another 10 we would be getting in about 5am and would the darkness make it longer or about the same if we made less mistakes? Myself and Eve had a good 5hr drive, Nicky was working all day at the stand. We made a decision to stop at 1. I was disappointed as we all were but also knew we had 2 laps in us easily and we were in great shape to smash it.
So we got back and stopped. Paul tried to convince us to go again but understood why we didn’t. We then enjoyed the rest of the night.
Sausage butties, beer, shower, waiting on Vic & Stu coming in, I crewed for Stu going out on lap 3 which was quite nice actually and tidied his stuff up so it was organised for him getting back in on the morning.
I was late to bed waiting for Stu & Vic going back out then made my way down to my tent and I slept like a log. I woke a few times and checked where the guys were and spotted that Vic was at 5k to go so we all went up to cheer her in. Stu made it with 10min to spare after sending me a video message before realising he had the wrong page number so a quick run back to the checkpoint.
I am sad I didn’t do 2 but know it was the right decision I was tired enough driving home and I’ll get it next year! Few pics.
Nicky & Eve have ran some tough runs, Marathion de Sables, Attacama Desert, Nepal, New Zealand, Grand to Grand to name a few, Vic aka The Happy Runner what hasn’t she done? Stu a seasoned fell runner who has done Bob Graham a couple of times. Supports runners doing rounds is a very strong runner - when they all commented how tough it is puts it into perspective - chuffed I managed it can’t wait to go back.
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geordiegirl
About me... well I am a geordie lass (or geordiegirl) I first joined fetch when I struggled with ill-health and I know it was the Fetch community that kept me going. Can’t quite believe I’ve been here 16yrs!I have finally joined the ranks of trying to become an ultra runner!!! In June 2021 I did a 100k - Race to the Castle with my ultra bud NellieJane, in June 2022 I conquered The Wall OMG it was another level the road was tough but the end I felt so amazing.
Working with a coach, Ultra Kazy (Karen Nichol) to help work on a mindful approach to running which is working well so far, she has so far helped me get round Jordan Ultra Challenge and proud to say I was one of only 13 (out of 55) who managed 2 full marathons. Next stop The Berkeley Marathons UK then Escape from Meridan.
Absolutely loving the longer distances. just need to work on having more time to adventure and less time working.
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