Betws trail challenge 10k

I had been looking forward to the Betws Trail Challenge; I had not run it before, but I knew the route would be beautiful, and it also involves some considerable running uphill. Just my kind of thing! And I expected Marjan to be there as my supporter.

When there was a call-out the night before, I figured my chances of medal success had plummeted. I just hoped I would be home on time to run it at all. It really would depend on what time I would get back. The previous time there had been a call-out before a race I had been home before midnight, and I had managed to run a personal best on the 10k, although I had broken that a month or two later after a good night of sleep. 

I was home 1:30. Too late to run in comfort, early enough to run at all! If I would have been home at 7 or 8, for instance (which happens!), I would have dropped out. 

I got up a bit groggily and got ready. Marjan came to pick me up. We had a cup of tea and then set off. We found the perfect parking space, where I changed into my running shoes, and we headed for the start. Us and also loads of canicrossers! It was the first time I had witnessed that. So many dogs, so eager to start running! It was noisy but cute. 

The start was so far away we arrived a bit late. I ended up starting a bit at the back. I regretted that, but I didn't want to muscle my way to the front. That seemed impolite! So I just zigzagged my way forward after the start. I was a bit questionable in the head because of my late bedtime but otherwise all well. I got into the swing of things.

The start

As ready as I would be

The route was beautiful! And the weather wasn't too bad. It was supposed to be dry, but it wasn't really. But the rain was not so heavy it was annoying. And most of the wind was caught by the trees and not by us runners.

On the forestry road

We made our way up over forestry roads. And close to the 4 km sign, I started to be overtaken by canicrossers. All these dogs were so content given that they could just run! And by then, we also were close to the top. Soon the lake came into view. We were on a narrow path then, and it was getting muddy and potentially slippery. I was careful. But I knew that stretch wouldn't be long, and indeed; a marshall directed me onto the forestry road again. And then it was just downhill all the way!

A short section of the race was on a narrow path

Llyn Elsi comes into view

Mid-race selfie

Most of the way you could just leg it, but there were bits when I held back a bit because even these forestry roads can be a bit slippery. There was a woman quite close to me, but on the slippery bits she ran away from me.

I crossed the finish, refused the water bottle they offered there, but accepted the hiking towel they also offered, and went to find Marjan. 

Marjan said only a few women had finished! That's surprised me. This really wasn't my day! But I believe her. And she pointed out the lady who had been informed of me for awhile; she said she was probably second or third. We had a little chat. It turned out she had use me as a pacemaker on the way up! She was welcome.

But with me probably being 3rd or 4th, it was worth waiting for the prize ceremony. If I was just outside the top three, I would automatically be the fastest woman over 45 who was not in the top three. (They have two veteran age categories who get their own prizes, but if you already get a prize in the open category you're not also going to get one in your age category.)

We went back to the car so I could drink some water. And then we sat in the car for a bit, until we went out again. The weather wasn't very good, so we didn't stand by the finish, but in the tent behind it. And after a while someone from the organisation said that prices would be awarded in the hotel in a minute or five.

I personally thought that was organised badly. It was a hotel bar, and it was also in use as such, and the bloke who awarded the prizes didn't have a very strong voice, and he also didn't have any amplification. It was hard to hear a word of what he was saying! He also was just standing on the ground, and wasn't very tall, and neither am I. In addition to struggling to hear him I also struggled to see him. But I did recognise my name, and went to get my gift bag. It contained a T-shirt, some gels and a £10 voucher of next race by the same organiser. Not a bad loot!

When that was done Marjan and I decided it was time to go for lunch somewhere. On the way out we had discussed cafe Siabod, because it is rumoured to close. Marjan had never been. I figured this was our opportunity to change that, and she was okay with that.

I went for a full lunch, while she settled for a hot chocolate with a scone. Polished it off quite nicely! And then it was time to go home. I really wanted a shower.

I was really knackered the rest of the day! But that wasn't very surprising. I was quite happy how the weekend had gone so far. And the next day I was fine again. And very proudly wearing my new T-shirt!

Prize T-shirt!