Newcastle Athletics Club - Hill and Dale Series 2013

[Dowser]

I've been talked into taking part in this tonight... Details here: http://www.newcastleac.org/?page_id=4976

Does anybody else on here get involved in this or would like too?  On-line registration is now closed for tonight's first race of the season but you can just turn up and register, which is what I will be doing.

First Race starts and finishes in Castlewellan Forest Park, is a distance of 5.5 miles and has a climb of 1080ft.

I don't even own a pair of Trainers yet... Heading out at lunchtime to get some 

Hopefully I wont totally crash and burn but I will let you all know how I get on.

[LandyLiam]

Go for it chubby, you might need that head torch too the time you'll be back at    i'm only being umsympathetic as i've always wanted to do this series but Thursday nights don't suit me 

[LandyLiam]

After tense negotiations I have been able to secure a limited evening pass to attend this so i will be your wingman, now were did i put those walshes 

[Dowser]

Go for it chubby, you might need that head torch too the time you'll be back at    i'm only being umsympathetic as i've always wanted to do this series but Thursday nights don't suit me 

Your 90% of the reason that I'm doing this tonight!!!

The first thing you said to me when you arrived at camp on Saturday was "Wow, your piling on the pounds".

It'll be good to have along... It could end up being the first Mountain Rescue from Castlewellan Forest Park 

See you at the starting line.

[whoRya]

Take the Dangermouse headwear off, you'll be too warm.  Good luck tonight!

[Dowser]

The New Runners

The Energy

[twentyclicks]

Bowl of kitty mix and bananas... whatever works for you 

The series sounds like fun, challenging racing, but I'm always working.
Good luck guys. Represent! 

[Dowser]

Bowl of kitty mix and bananas... whatever works for you 

The series sounds like fun, challenging racing, but I'm always working.
Good luck guys. Represent! 

Very well spotted Twenty... It is Kitty mix but from the Big Cat range:

Lion Bar Cereal... The food of Athletes 

Thanks Twenty and WhoRya for the encouragement.

[RedLeader]

Good luck chum. I'd need more than a box of Kellogs to get me through 5 miles and up 1,000 feet. You may make sure there's someone at the end with a beer and oxygen mask for you

[LandyLiam]

at least with all the rain out there the photographer might go home early and not spot us latecomers 

[LandyLiam]

we came, we ran, and i think we came last 

very very wet night, fortunately no wind though which made it just bearable, lots of steep trails through the forest, tough going and my legs are hurting now.


we find some snow



me getting very wet



Dowser near the top of Slievenaslat

fair play to him for completing with no practise whatsoever, and even baring his legs in that weather (i opted for tights  )

[LandyLiam]

results are in and we were only 2nd last at 67 mins (winner did it in 34 mins !)

[Are we there yet?]

I recognise that route.. if i'd known you were doing it, i could have stashed some energy snacks for you both yesterday morning

Fair play and well done

[Dowser]

Well, that was a shock to the system!!!

What a nightmare... It really was so much tougher than I expected.  On paper 5.5 miles and 1080ft ascent sounds like nothing at all.  When you throw in 60 minutes of heavy rain, mud 6 inches deep, my lack of fitness, my skinny legs, no exercise in 3 years and a dose of over-confidence before setting off it's a complete recipe for disaster 

All that said, it hasn't put me off and I will be back next week.  I can only get better, I hope!!!

Next week is Tullymore: 5 miles, 900ft ascent if anybody wants to have a crack at it.

Big thanks to Liam for the moral support on the way round and I'm guessing he would have had a lot better time only for him being such a gentleman and baby-sitting me 

[RedLeader]

Kudos to you both. It's a great way to get fit, just stick at it, just don't be making us all look bad!