As training for the PWU, I’d signed up for the Positive Steps Kings Forest Festive Challenge on Sat 28th Nov 15, with other PWU victims Steve Dickens and Vince Butler. Other Thetfordites were there, inc. Sabine Schaefer. It’s a 20 mile, or 32km, flattish cross-country race, in the forest obviously! Was cold (about 2-3 degrees, but sunny with moderate wind – shorts!), but really nice – three laps around an area I’d never investigated, and Julia cycled out to shout at us for a short bit of the race, just when we needed it. Mostly dry, open tracks, and mostly sheltered, although some long straights straight into a cold, harsh wind.

Turned out to be nearer 21 miles (33.2km according to my Garmin 310xt), but I managed to flog it (run) the whole way and came in 7th in 2:45:25, with Vince and Sabine in 8th and 9th respectively just a couple of minutes behind (74 completed 20 miler, 102 did a 1/2 marathon, and 85 did a 10km). Vince should have been up with me, but stopped for a pee, and Sabine should have been ahead of me except she went wrong for a bit, and then both had to run/walk nearer the end. Steve had some issues – not sure his run/walk practice rate for PWU is quite right at 4:1 ratio, or if his feeding regime was just off, but he limped over the line, bent-double, in 4:05 – took him about 10 mins before he could stand straight!

Recovery? Ankles buggered the following day, but back to swim and run sessions a couple of days later. Superb event, and necessary training leading up to PWU.