Dirtrun Summer Sizzler 6.5 miles (Race 1 of 2)

Who runs on a friday night? Answer.. a lot of people and Dirtrun summer sizzler was the most fun I've possibly had on a friday! Considering I was falling asleep at my desk at work from 3pm onwards I was wondering how on earth I was going to finish a whole day at work then run 6.5 miles in 27 degree heat.

Getting back from work I put my old stinkers on as it was called Dirtrun I didn't want to take a chance taking the new beauties out and getting them muddy. Car loaded up and off I went to pick up running buddy Luke who I may add has just sauntered out the pub from a pre race meal and beers! We made the short drive to Top Barn Activity centre in worcester it was beautiful scenery and I felt lucky to be able to go to events like these and take in different surroundings. There were lots of people milling around registering for 

the race and lots of children as they were doing a fun run before the main event. We watched the kids off and I spent some time eyeing up the medals which looked very nice I couldn't wait to get my hands on one to add to the collection. After around 30 minutes the front runner was finishing in the kids race and we clapped them all through then made our way to line up at the start line where a short race breifing took place. It went something like this.... for those that did the race last year you will remember the mud, well there is no mud this year (so I was wearing the old stinkers for no reason) you follow the lake round then go into the forest for the up and down up and down bit then the steep bit then the really steep bit then down again then the big hill......... At this point I stopped listening I don't want to know about hills and steep bits I just want to get it done.

The whistle blew and off we went I didn't want to hold Luke back but we ran together around the lake and down a slight hill across a field all was well I was rocking my sunglasses, legs felt good it was all good until we ran into the woods. Suddenly it was pitch black and I couldn't see a thing so whipped the sunglasses off and could see what was next. The biggest hills I have ever ran up along the side of one massive hill routing and weaving it's way up like a dirt track that mountain bikers would go on. The part to run on wasn't all that wide initially and the footing was very loose due to dry twigs, pine cones etc so I was very careful to slow down and take my time. Rounding a corner I was then faced with what can only be described as a full vertical climb (imagine the drop on Oblivion) well I was running up something like that, it was so steep the organizers had tied rope between all the trees for people to literally pull themselves up.

This isn't what I signed up for at all! Luke had to start pushing me up from behind and when we reached the top it appeared we were making our way out of the woods...yippee.. but then runners were coming from the opposite direction on the other side of some red and white tape. They had tricked us! We ran out of the woods then straight back in for some steep descents and more steep inclines. For the purpose of this blog I will replace the word F**K with the word fudge. Fudge this and fudge that, this is so fudging hard I can't fudging believe it, I was ranting to myself. Finally out of the woods and having to jump through stinging nettles was next then out to some nicer parts running through fields and on pavements. We ran past a pretty church and the first drink station and started talking to some runners from the black pear joggers group in Worcester we bimbled along with them for abit chatting and another girl also called Sarah. By mile 5 we were run/walking and there were more hills to come.

Finally we came out by the lake and myself, Luke and Sarah had discussed sprint finishes and no one said they were going for it. Liars! On the final straight Sarah booted it and I decided to take her on. I have never felt competitive in a race until now, it made me feel like I was back at schools sports day. She beat me only by 2 seconds but still I could of had her if i didn't have a stitch...honest.

Crossing the finish line I was presented with a medal the size of a fifty pence piece... eh? This isn't the medal I saw before. Turns out only the children got the big medals!I did however get a free burger from the bbq so this kept me happy.  I said at the end I found the Dirtrun summer sizzler 6.25 mile race harder than any marathon or Ultra I've done before and not sure I will go back next year unless I'm allowed to enter the kids race and miss out the hills and get the big medal.