GNR 2009 by custombacchus

Woke up sunday morning hoping for rain/drizzle even a fog or mist but no glorious sunshine so second item of clothing after underwear was freezing cold factor 50 kids sun cream.  Then trying to find a light top that reflected the sun, only one I had was a grey and blue thing.  Breakfast, coffee, water and banana pack bag get eldest 2 kids into car with dog.  GUess which was the happiest to be in the car.  (Clue - he had four legs) picked up my dad from his house and off to Chatsworth for what could be a hot dusty sweaty exhausting run - in the end it wasn't all those things - hot yes, sweaty and exhausting yes but really enjoyed.

THe race was full (approx - 900) but only 740 ish fi nished/turned up.  Getting there at 8.30 as advised so people could be parked before race time at 10am.  Left time to wander with boys dog and dad who after half an hour set off for distant fields with the " we'll see you th finish about 11. (So much for support).

Lots of loos but still 15+minutes queuing but that's nothing unusual.  Then a jogette towards the start to begin my warm up (yeah I know jogging and warming up before the race - it's a new concept to me as well)

Approx 10 o'clock wass chatting to an aquaitance from home stood towards the back of the starting pack when we realised the race had started. So with a quick "see you later" of we trotted.

I deliberately started slowly knowing the first 2km wasas uphill well that was a mistake from bout 1.2km to 2km was avertical face (sort of) those who ran it were to be found just beyond the crest gasping for breath by those who walked it.  Brief respite and a water stop before more uphill until approx 4km before levelling out.  Then undulating until about 7km when another uphill however then the dividend came.  Downhill for pretty much the best part of a mile.  IN the dry weather this wass a nice soft track but had it been wet there would have people slidng everywhere the lasst straight is approx 1m with long climbs short descent and another climb to the finish.  CHip time 1hr 4mins 40sec. Considering weather and amount of climbing moe than happy with that.

DOn't however go away from this post thinking I didn't enjoy the run.  It was bloody great, well marshalled, through the grounds of one of the most beautiful and magnificent country houses in the country.  The varying views arounf the lakes that feed the world famous waterfalls and fountains in the grounds, the cool shelter of the woodland on soft tracks, open grassland on gravel/metalled tracks and final mile along the approach road between the golden gate and the house itself.  It a must do for anybody certainly doing it again next year.

Keep on running

Matt