East Leake Night Trail

I head to the Derby Runner at lunchtime to try to get either a replacement battery pack for the broken head torch or a brand new head torch. They don’t have any battery packs and the choice of just one pretty basic head torch. So, it’s Hobson’s choice. Either take the horse in the stall nearest the door or none at all. I ride off into the sunset with my new steed.

Tonight it's the Night Trail at East Leake. This starts at 7pm, so it’s a case of a quick change at home and then back out again to the start at Rushcliffe Golf Club. Finding the golf club in the dark countryside proves to be the hardest part of the evening.

The run itself, for saying I’m not an off-road person, goes really well. The five mile route takes in a mix of bridal pathways, loose surface footpaths and sections over grassy fields. Naturally I lose my footing several times but unlike last time I ran at night on the Thunder Run I remain vertical.

It is well marked and well marshalled although most of the glow sticks along the route seem to lack the vital ingredients of glow. I also remember seeing signs for the water station at around half way but didn’t actually see the station itself. On reflection perhaps the three people stood by a parked car was it but it wasn’t obvious and my then it was too late to go back. 

At the finish we get a very nice medal, if you like that sort of thing and amazing I come in 13th out of 90. Wow.

There were rumours of a bar but the golf club has been booked for a private function and I don't think muddy runners are not invited so we head home.

Shepshed 7

Today I run my first Shepshed 7 since 2010. I ran 48:22 back then in those halcyon dizzy height days.

The event is organised by Shepshed Running Club and amounts to two laps through the private grounds of the Garendon Park Estate with the start at the High School. It was never my favourite race due to the terrain which consists of a grass section at the start, a few tarmac bits but mostly the course is on gravel paths where the gravel is effectively small boulders. These, if you are running in inappropriate footwear e.g. thin soled lightweight road shoes, are a bit like running on a bed of nails e.g. I have the wrong footwear.

As I compete the first lap someone hands me a plastic cup of water which disintegrates on touch and cascades down the front of my shirt. So that was no help. What I really needed was someone to hand me my PB dog to pace me round the second circuit.

I am actually pleased with my time, despite it being three whole minutes down on 2010, as I went through 10k at an acceptable 45 minutes.

The race is a 500 person sell out although only 429 brave the rather cold grim conditions. In a nice touch it even starts raining just as we finish. We all thaw out afterwards with coffee in the Home Economics room of the school. That is, if they still call it Home Economics?