Trailscape - Ashurst
After a frosty start to the week followed by rain on Friday we were prepared for a bit of mud but not 6 miles of the slippy, slidey, squidgy, stuff that met us on Saturday! Having greeted fellow members and the familiar faces from neighbouring Canicross groups we registered and prepared ourselves for the race.
The human runners set off first and then it was our turn. As usual Bindy was keen to go and took off up the short stretch of road before turning off into the field of mud, a taste of things to come..... We were still pulling away from those behind, just as those in front were pulling away from us but as the mud sucked at my feet I felt the initial energy draining from my legs and as we met the first style, Fanny and Pip caught up with us and we were able to help each other to negotiate this and the next few tricky obstacles, mud skiing down the slopes between each one.
Almost half way and we were greeted by the friendly faces of the marshalls, Mandy and Stephen, both canicrossers, at the aid station. A drink for both Bindy and I, a quick chat and we were off again. I'd lost sight of all the other dogs but was kept company by a couple of half marathon runners until their route took them
off in a different direction.
At first the disused railway offered a respite from the mud but wearing my hard trail shoes did nothing to cushion the compacted track and when I saw Nicki approaching with Diesel and Buddy I was happy to wait for them to catch up. A mile along and we turned off the railway line down a flight of steps and resumed our muddy run back across the fields and those pesky styles, giving Sally and Flop a chance to catch us up. The three of us chatted our way back up the slippery slopes where we were greeted by Andy and Emmy along with Dan the marshall and his pocket full of dog biscuits.
One last push and the finish was in site, Nicki and Sally forged ahead and crossed the line together, Bindy and I came in shortly after to the usual cheers and welcoming faces of the organisers and their volunteers. All that was left was to collect our medals, t shirts and doggy bag, change out of the worst of the muddy gear and have a well earned coffee while Bindy and Emmy were treated to yet more doggy biscuits.
