Chagford Challenge LDWA

My first event for quite a while, there were two main reasons for signing up for this one. Firstly to start the build up to my main aim of the year and secondly to introduce my new training partner to LDWA events. I will get to the plans for the rest of the year later.

I know I have said it before but every time I take part in a LDWA event I am amazed at their friendly well organised events they put on, once again this was the case in the Cornwall & Devon LDWA Chagford Challenge. Great support, food and weather.

 Now my new running partner has not done a long run like this before so we decided to enter the middle distance route (20 mile). We got on well together all day and kept a fairly even pace the only problem I had was when he said things like "Dad I think we can run this bit".

The route starts following a beautiful wooded track along the River Teign before turning up a steep hill to Cranbrook Castle. You then travel through field and country lanes to North Bovey. The second big climb on the route took us up onto open moorland. The day had started to warm up and it was nice to have a bit of a breeze on the tops. After a great checkpoint stop at Warren House Inn (peaches and rice pudding) we headed over to Fernworthy reservoir and the last section back to Chagford.

What is next then, well having said how great the LDWA events I have entered some different events this year.

• Chiltern Ultra 50k
• The Wye One Way 50

Better start getting the weekly mileage up.