Daily archives: April 3, 2012

A very impressive team of Musketeers showed the larger clubs what team sprit was by entering a large squad into the Taunton marathon and Taunton Half Marathons.

Sharon, Grizzly veterans Dave, Guy, Neil and Mark, 100-marathon man (and counting) Bryan, Darren and Sarah H survived 26-miles of the two-lap marathon.

Meanwhile, Birthday Girl Louise (what else would you do on your birthday?), Julia, Caroline and Nicole ran well in the half marathon and then generously cheered in the plodders including London Marathon trainees Sarah and Neil (gluttons for punishment). The London Marathon is in only three weeks time – at least they know they can complete a marathon which is hillier than London. Definitely good for confidence.

I know Nicole did a PB – yet again. It is becoming a habit and we now expect it from her – fantastic result. And for those who have never raced that course before – any time is a personal best! Caroline and Louise drowned each other out for more than two hours of running and intellectual conversation – you have to get through these challenges some how.

The course is relatively flat, though two hills near the finish of the half marathon is too much at that crucial point to forgive. There is also the hill about half way which is longer and not as steep, which no one remembers.

Marathoners have the added attraction of running each hill twice. Although it s a good course for setting fast times, there is something mind numbing about doing the same 13-mile lap twice. You somehow have to convince yourself via complex mid games that it is a separate race and you are setting out again afresh. Either that or count up the miles or count down the miles, which ever works for you. On the plus side, it is easier to pace yourself in terms of two half marathons – especially if you are chasing a personal best for the distance or for that course.

Neil and Sarah again certainly proved they are strong mentally by over coming doubt and pain from running war wounds. London crowds and other runners will pull them through for the big event. At Taunton Neil acknowledged Dave’s support (they ran together) helped him to the finish.

In contrast Taunton’s largely rural route can be rather lonely through lack of spectators. And the marathon entry is smaller than the half marathon, so when the shorter race is over marathoners are even fewer in number and have to take in the sights, which included a squashed fox who dared get in the way of big Dave. And the advert for the Black Death race, may be a fate which seemed apt or even welcome during the seemingly endless marathon.

The race is very well organised with race HQ at a college offering showers and changing rooms, baggage drop, refreshments, welcome massages at the finish and a goodie bag including a cotton t-shirt, medal and regulation banana and water. The marshals were useful, but not very encouraging except for notable exception of the cadets with one yelling his support for hours on end – that was very encouraging.

For those who fancy a fast half marathon or indeed their first ever 13 miles, Taunton is recommended. Join the Musketeer racing team next year – they are the most supportive, determined and simply the best.

By Guy

Having not had enough of Grizzly country Guy was magically transported back to the land of tortuous cliffs and effectively blindfolded for a seven-mile race.

This was the Night Run organised by Axe Valley RC – the same people who run the 20-mile Grizzly, but this was in the pitch black to make it even harder.

Running with Jane Allison of Plymouth Harriers (for moral support and company) we amazed ourselves by coming in the top 15 out of 80 runners, most of who were Axe Valley runners and therefore had good local knowledge of sleep-running.

We all got a baby bottle of wine for being so dam stupid and Jane was first woman home – even more creditable.

Head torches and hand torches were essential and at least one was compulsory to enter.

Following a wobbling head torch is not easy, so a wobbling bike torch in one hand was helpful. We had to wait until after seven for the sun set to disappear and it was officially dark, what fun.

Some how we made it across the cliff top without toppling over – think of the paperwork that would have caused! And then down steep stony zig zagging paths under the cliff. It is strange to ru in pitch black, and if I thought about it too much became a little claustrophobic – so I stamped on that idea and concentrated on find my way.

Even stranger ( for a running race) were signs saying ‘run slow’ before sharp corners. We were helped by very small but bright stick lights, but you had to be sharp-eyed. And the occasional marshal.

It was a case of keeping your wits about you and owl-like eyes peeled.

The toughest section was the shingle beach run for about 20 minutes. I followed lights only to find I was having hallucinations they were night-time fisher men drowning maggots lit by gas lights. Jane suffered on the beach, only having little legs. Being a gallant type I waited for her and of course had a wee rest.

Then she sped ahead on the flat land stretch before we waded across a stream and up an even darker wooded hill where we could not see how steep or long it was – therefore, making pacing impossible. The best policy was to walk.

Most the next part was a blur to me. But I do recall a path with steps and stiles appearing at regular intervals which really put me off my stride. I tried to shout behind what was coming up to warn Jane and was aware I was calling some unknown bloke Jane and she was a few places behind – the victim of short legs and steep stiles.

After another water obstacle (which Jane walked round) the Grizzly route’s so-called Stairway to Heaven reappeared and halted our swift progress and we trudged up to the top of the cliff again. And then a flattish cliff top finish to the picturesque east Devon village of Beer.

We plan to a revisit next year and maybe have a meal in the pub for a discounted £5 with race entry.

By Guy