Running Apes

It has a circular route of 13 miles and is faily flat - we were told.  Jess and I decided it was time to push the training forward and try a half marathon.  We had ben told by a couple of people about Bewl Water, a massive reservoir and nature reserve.  For our final big run before the festivities of Christmas we thought this would be perfect.

We arrived at high noon a little apprehensive - before now we hadn’t run more than 7 miles.  Jess pulls out a ruck sack that would have weighed down an SAS soldier full of supplies like water, chocolate, plasters, pain killers and I think a tent, camping stove and speed boat.  Anyway after taking a few items out we still took the bag.  This would turn out to be the first thing we wouldn’t do if we ever did this again.

The lake itself and the surroundings were gorgeous and the weather was perfect for a run.  Scared by the first sign we passed saying 13 mile route - 6 hours we left in high spirts.  The footpath started off nice and firm under foot and flat.  It lasted for about half a mile and that was the last time the path was either firm and flat at the same time.

As we went around, the first 3 miles were fairly easy going.  From this point onwards the path became increasingly soft and in places dangerous to get along without walking and even holding onto a nearby fence.  Jess had lost feeling in her right foot early on but this had returned and by half way we were not in bad shape and were positive about the second half.

The final 4 miles or so were increasingly hilly as well as muddy and slowed our pace considerably.  We arrived back at the car 2 hours 32 minutes after we had left.  We stumbled to the tea shop for a cup of tea and a ham and cheese toasty.

Although the reservoir and the scenery were magnificent we may need to look for a more solid path when training resumes after Christmas.