Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding Challenge 10k 2007
Comments (2) I’d been looking forward to this race for a good couple of months! The Christmas Pudding challenge promised a big sand dune and a spell of stream running. I was not disappointed. My first race at Merthyr Mawr, before this race I didn’t even know that the highest sand dune in Europe was almost in my back yard. After parking the car a couple of miles away and running up to the start I saw the monster in front of me *gulp* much bigger than I was expecting.
 Here’s a picture of the sand dune from near the top as you can see its a big one at about 300ft! The way up was tough and with lots of people I couldn’t go any faster even if I’d wanted to. Anyway there was a bit of congestion at the top of the dune so there was a few minutes of waiting around (good time for everyone to catch their breath). The next thing I know I’m plummeting straight down the other side at full speed, half worried I’m going to bowl over at any moment, but my its good fun ;)
From there we head out across a flat wind swept area before what I heard to refer as the ‘orrible hill, and it was just that. A long steep hill up to the golf course (at least it wasn’t covered in sand too). So did the usual trick, drop the arms, reduce the stride length and switch into “Disney’s Little Engine that Could” mode….
“I know I can, I’m sure I can, I know I can, I’m sure I can”
…which slowly became, “I’m not sure I can, I know my legs hurt” :( Slowly but surely I got to the top of the hill and had some nice views down to the sea.
I figured the mid-point couldn’t be far away at this time and upon approaching not only were we offered water but mulled wine and mince pies. Now being the highly professional athlete I am of course I opted for the mulled wine, vitamins, water, warmth it all made sense…..surely? A good cup of hot mulled wine it was and with the long slow decent I started flying along – alcohol fueled possibly ;)
Around back to the dunes which again made the running a little tough and in the back of my mind the stream was coming. Next thing I know we’re running through a shallow bit of water, some tried to skirt around the outside but for a laugh I headed through the middle :) Got out of that one when a marshall mentioned there was another couple to go. Lets say the third one was pretty deep and cold, almost got up to places I don’t wish to have frozen off, but fortunately the crowd was spared me shreaking like a girl had that happened!
Post race I collected my soup and bread roll and Christmas Pudding and ran back to a warm car for the drive home accompanied by some loud JayZ courtesy of Radio 1.
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