The Ashridge Boundary Run is probably my favourite event of the year. Partly owing to the fact that it takes in the most scenic parts of our beautiful local countryside, but also the fact that it is always exceptionally well organised by Andy and Anthony, well signed and marshalled and most importantly it has the best selection of cakes at the end that you could ask for!
As some of you may know I am doing quite a lot of milage and training for the upcoming London marathon, and so the boundary run fitted in perfectly with my schedule. Well, in fact, the training plan I have been vaguely following suggested 20-21 miles on the road, but I had done a fast 20 miler the weekend before in Milton Keynes and I concluded that almost 18 miles on trails and 1600ft of ascent would be a similar amount of effort and far more enjoyable!
I knew that there would be a good turnout from the 8’s group who I enjoy the company of every other Wednesday evening (Tom – my husband- and I take turns coming each week) as we had been discussing the ‘race tactics’ on our run this Wednesday . There was also a great turnout from all the other pace groups which was lovely to see. I think I just made it in to a pre run team photo after dashing out of the loo cubicle as someone said ‘say cheese’! Anyway, back to race tactics- mine was to beat my previous time of 2:16 and to try and pace it well enough to have something in the tank for a fast finish.
The run was clockwise this year (it alternates each year) and I’m not sure I’ve done it in the other direction. This means you have climb to the beacon to contend with (although I guess it is a climb whichever way you approach it!) as well as going up the steps to Ward’s Hurst farm. At 10am on the dot we were off, and leaving the Aldbury rec I saw Ross in his TRC vest disappear into the distance with some other fast looking chaps (one of whom was wearing some Nike supershoes- I’m pretty sure I would roll an ankle within about 30 seconds running on the trails in those!). I set out a bit too fast (as I often do- note to self- do not make this mistake at London!) but was soon slowed right back down as I started to climb the first hill up towards the monument. A decent elevation and it seems to go on forever – definitely warms the legs up pretty quickly!
Then there is a lovely stretch along Duncombe terrace which I had recalled was where the March Strava segment challenge was- although I decided an all out sprint along here was probably unwise so early on in the race.. as it turns out I did the segment this time in the exact same time as my previous PB for that section which had been during the Brenda Barlow Handicap in February.. this also highlights I was likely running too fast at that point as the Brenda Barlow is only 9 miles and so my pace should probably be slower on a 17 miler..
The national trust had apparently requested the route did not go straight up the main path to the beacon and so there was a small dog-leg so we still got to enjoy the 360 degree vista from the top (and as an added bonus this meant getting to see Celine who was one of the marshals, cheering and clapping at the gate on the way up and back from the top). I think it was around this point that Josh and a couple of other men crept up on me and strode on ahead down the hill. The section through the trees before ‘the steps’ is one of my favourite parts of the route as it feels like a magical little bit of woodland. Then came the steps themselves.. these have been smartened up a bit since I last ran up them which makes it a bit easier underfoot, though no less gruelling.
Onwards along some flatter fast sections of the course, crossing over beacon road and then back into the woods before you get to Golden Valley. Due to the recent sunny and dry weather, conditions underfoot were ideal and far better than the last time I ran the route where this bottom section was a bit of a mud bath. This year there was barely a puddle to be seen. Josh was just ahead, though still within my sights and so was a good target to at least try and hang on to his pace- I took a gel and powered on up the hill and down again towards Nettledon. More cheers from the wonderful marshals at the water station telling me I was currently 1st lady and giving me a mental boost up the – what doesn’t look like, but most definitely feels like a very steep climb up to the golf course.
I think the last two months of longer runs I have been doing (and perhaps the final caffeinated gel) helped at this point as I still felt like I had some speed in my legs even up the final rolling hills. Josh was getting ever closer. I managed to close the gap and overtook him and three other men who had been in the pack just ahead of me for much of the run- although I was convinced they would catch me up again on the downhill (which has never been my forte). As I flapped my arms (those in the 8’s will be familiar with this style of my descent) down the last hill and into Aldbury, I was greeting by the smiling faces of my 3 girls and Tom cheering me on for the final section through Aldbury and back to the rec.
I finished first female and 12th overall in a time of 2:10.36 which I was very pleased with (and I believe may be a new ladies course record) and felt like I had earned at least 3 different varieties of the delicious cake. My 2 older girls had been to their first cross country in the morning and so they also felt this earned them a trial of the cakes on offer (and Emma- our charismatic 4 year old- just has to smile at the friendly volunteers and she got as many slices of cake as she wanted!)
Lots more fantastic results from the whole of TRC with Ross (who’s goal was a sub 2 hours and timed it to perfection with 1.59 and 55 seconds), John Manning & Linda all getting age category prizes on what was a great effort from all of the Tring contingent… Where better to be, than a sunny Ashridge with the Tring crew on a Saturday morning?
Becky Raftery