Different Perspective Sports Magazine Issue 3 | Page 37

not so inviting. I had flashbacks to how cold I was at the New Forest 20 mile and Deal 1/2
marathon races where there was a definite absence of water hazards. What’s more, I am
rubbish at Cross Country as you know from earlier in the book.
Consistent with my quest to find the “Dark Place” that is so prevalent amongst endurance
athletes I decided to man up and take the place. If Caroline could do it then so could I and I
would hate to be seen as someone who whimped out. I believe in life you should embrace
as many opportunities as possible to become a more interesting, rounded individual. Life is
about experiences and living. It is about being part of things that you can share with others,
that you can relay to your grand kids when reading them bedtime stories. Participating in
events like this only facilitates this goal and makes water cooler chat far more entertaining
than what has happened on the X Factor or Eastenders. Sure, most of your friends don’t
get it but friends are somewhat transient apart from your inner circle acting as characters
within certain chapters of your life story. You make new ones who share the same passions
as you and listening to their experiences is just as enthralling as telling your own. I wanted
in.
I was picked up at 07:00 to make the 2 hour trip to Hampshire through torrential rain. What
had I let myself in for? I was on the mini-bus with Caroline, a guy called David and four
ladies ranging in age from 30’s to 50’s so I really could not vocalize my hesitation (not fear)
too much. I think we were all nervous to be honest. I was not dreading it - just concerned
about the distance and how I would cope with the freezing water.
The rain was torrential when we arrived so for the first time I wore a beanie hat which Dave
had kindly got for everyone. The race started a few minutes late as I believe the first aid
providers had been held up in traffic due to the bad weather. It all started so well running
down a nice wide hard packed mud path. A few puddles here and there but nothing to get
your feet wet. We had planned to run together as a group but this proved problematic from
the start so we all did our own thing. After .68 miles I encountered the first bottle neck which
I presumed was caused by the path narrowing. This was true but accentuated by the first
water hazard - a knee deep stream that you had to pass through unless you happened
to be an Olympic long jumper. Brilliant. Less than 0.7% into the race and already our feet
would be soaked and freezing. The ground underfoot had changed from being fairly hard
packed to wet mushy clay that in places was ankle deep sucking the energy out of you and
working muscles that had not be utilized in a long time. I guess that is why this is called
Hell Runner!. The route carried on for a short while before hitting the next water hazard
- this time waist deep. Yelps abound as people waded through yet no one complained
wishing they were at home in the warm. They embraced it and the camaraderie even at
this early stage was something that took my by surprise. This was going to be tough but
we had solidarity in this shared experience knowing that we all possessed a similar mental
persuasion that drove us to take on such challenges.
Little did I know th