Dorset Dreamy

As a rather low key affair this year, it was a select few who arrived at Wyke Farm for the 2010 Dorset Dreamy. Mark Larcombe had suggested the run and a request for Lynda and I to do a bit of “chicken sitting” gave the opportunity, and we were joined by Cath Elsworth, Pete Jakeman, Phil MacQuaid and Richard Dodge, along with Richard Blackmore of Crewkerne RC (and Daisy the dalmation!). We set off for pub number 1, the Griffins Head at Nether Compton where the locals are getting used to the annual arrival of runners, and thence along the track to the Rose & Crown at Trent. It quickly became clear that none of us were drinking alcohol and that the pub count was always going to be overtaken by the other count – how many times Pete and Phil needed a wee! On leaving Trent there was discussion as to which way to go, and after listening to Mr Larcombe, we headed up the gert big hill – the views were worth it! – and the wonders of modern technology meant that a call down to friends in Sandford Orcas established that the Mitre was closed – although the Landlady had said that we could run down and sit in their garden if we liked!

A quick chat amongst the group agreed that this would be an extra 4 miles we could do without and instead we ran down to Sherborne Golf Course and a trip through the woods to ensure that we had to run across the public footpath that goes across the 18^th green – and annoy the golfers! It was then towards Sherborne and again a quick phone call set up an impromptu water stop at my sister’s new house – my little nephew and niece completely unfazed by a load of sweaty runners turning up (it is quite sweet how my nephew always wants and expects me to win!) – and a change of plan as it was agreed that cream tea at Castle Gardens was preferable to an unwanted pint in the Mermaid. The fact that the Gardens had only two scones left did not spoil things as the flapjacks were nice too, although we passed on the fish & chips – as Phil pointed out, as the Koi carp cost up to £250 each, how much would the chips be?!

It was then the start of the run back to Wyke – Skippers was closed so the final pint was swapped for an ice cream in Lenthay and the sprint across the last couple of fields (even if the promise of “two more fields” was repeated on several occasions as the fields continued to come!), and the promise of a Barbeque after about 14 miles; enjoyable day all round!!

Haselbury Trail Run

The annual assault of Yeovil runners to the Haselbury Trail race took place on Wednesday and thei two lap course is a nice little event that ought to have more support. The Race HQ is at the cracking North Perrott Cricket Club (there were reminiscences of some of us older runners of the previous course before the Haselbury village hall was burned down in an arson attack) and the two lapper takes you round North Perrott School and down hill towards Mosterton, before heading out to “The Hill” which has to be overcome on each lap. There were many familiar faces from the Club at the start line and whilst I started quite well, I struggled to catch Caroline Watts and Val Hales, both of whom went off like rockets, but then caught up with Lesley Nesbitt, Terry Byrne and teh Club’s answer to Ant & Dec – Craig MacPherson and Andy Hunt (if they stand in the wrong order, you’ll forget which is which! Actually it’s easy – Andy is the one with the Portsmouth FC tattoos – lucky boy; he got them done in Plymouth and could have easily ended up with an Argyle one!)

Lap 1 was quite nice, pacing myself and having pleasant chat with Lesley, and stopping at times to take photos – something John Young (father of Nathan and Kieron) couldn’t understand, but then he’s used to coaching runners at the sharp end! Les pulled away and Terry started struggling as the Comncorde Triathlon of the previous weekend took its toll, and the intention was to run round with him for the second lap – until the two deer came bursting out of the hedge and I was more interested in stopping and trying to get a good photo of them (shouldn’t have bothered – I have loads better photos of brown dots!). I did keep Terry in sight but he found a burst of energy to hammer up The Hill on the second lap and overtake Andy Hunt and whilst I tracked him for the last mile, I could not quite catch him – though think my final sprint caught out the Minehead runner I burned past in the last 100 metres; mind you, he could still breathe after finishing, which was something I struggled to do!

Nice meal at the Manor Arms in North Perrott afterwards and am glad that we were organised enough to pre-order meals before the race so we weren’t stuck with the late night sausage & chips Minehead got – although it should be noted that if you run fast enough to win a prize, your meal might get cold by the time you arrive at the pub!