On Saturday May 10th, I headed off to the beautiful Burghley Estate, to take part in Rat Race’s Dirty Weekend…before anyone is wondering where this report is heading, I was about to take part in the world’s largest assault course!

The full mucker course consists of 200 obstacles over 20 miles. I know….you’re probably wondering why on earth I even considered this! Well I had been wondering this myself. I had decided to take part in the half mucker, 150 obstacles over 13 miles. Registration on the day was straight forward, hand in the signed disclaimer, show proof of identity and in return you receive various wristbands, timing chip and technical t-shirt.

Around the main arena were many food stalls, safe key storage, large marquee which hosted the bar and ‘cold’ water showers (otherwise known as hose pipes). I didn't have long to wait before my wave was called into the start pen for safety briefing and warm up. Then we were off…

The run started with small obstacles to space out the runners and let people warm up. The course wound its way around Burghley Estate and surrounding fields. There were a wide variety of obstacles grouped into zones such as, Trailblazer (wooden obstacles through narrow winding trails), Mud Run (as it says…obstacles in muddy trenches), Water Wipe Out (water based fun…the provided buoyancy aid is a must for this) and Survival of the Fittest (a variety of scaffold built ‘urban’ obstacles). It took various techniques to complete the obstacles, crawling, climbing, balancing, and a few helping hands at times. There were also a few sections where you had to carry an object a short distance such as a log, traffic cone and sand bag.  

As a solo runner, I did wonder how many of the obstacles I would be able to complete, but the great thing about this event was the camaraderie. Everyone seemed to help each other, and no one was judged for skipping an obstacle. Refreshment stops provided runners with water, crisps, jelly beans and bananas. One stop even had a warm up tent with foil blankets.

I completed the half mucker and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The event had a fantastic atmosphere, and there were plenty of spectators watching various nearby zones, before retiring to Burghley house and tea rooms. It may seem like a big challenge, but it is achievable (I made it). Apart from the first few waves where people were there to race, most took their time and paced themselves. The event may seem pricy, but included in the entry fee is a party pass for the big evening music festival (although I didn’t stay for this, opting to drive home for a hot shower).

So, if you want to experience an event with a difference, then all you need is your trail shoes and a sense of fun… I've already signed up for next year.

7.15am. I opened my eyes with a positive mindset - I'm going to run the Cambridge half marathon!  I'm young (i.e not yet receiving my pension), I'm healthy and I'm fit.  I swing my legs out of bed and do a bit of stretching.  After the many sleepless nights anticipating this day, I actually feel excited now that it has arrived.

7.35am.  It looks bright outside, so I throw open the curtains.  The world has turned white!  Reset the mindset.  A bit of snow isn't going to deter me.  I've trained for this - I'm ready.   Rethink the running gear that I laid out last night and move my bib number out by 3 layers.

8am.  The snow is still falling and the wind is picking up.  I'm starting to wonder if this really is such a good idea.  Recite my mantra - I'm young(ish), I'm healthy and I'm fit.  I eat my toast and banana, now is not the time to try new breakfast ideas.  Okay, time to go.

8.30am.  I leave the warm, comfortable cocoon of my car and battle the frigid wind to arrive at Midsummer Green.  The warm-up gets the blood flowing back to my extremities - maybe the pleasure of a heated car seat was a mistake, now that I am outside and my rear end is frozen.   The excitement of the people around me is contagious - once I warm up a bit, I think this might actually be fun. 

9am  We are directed to our Starting Pens and as I look around me, I see that there are people of all ages, shapes and sizes.  Some are talking about previous races, others look as inexperienced as I am.   At least in this Pen I think we are all just here to run our race, we're not really in competition.  I'm young(ish), I'm healthy and I'm fit.

9.30 am.  And they are off! The elite runners take off and we all move forward, slowly at first,  picking up speed until we actually start to run.  For about 10 paces, then we come to an abrupt halt.  The crowds have not actually dissipated enough for us to really get started.  Suddenly,  it is our turn.  As we approach the start line, the adrenalin starts to flow.  We step over the sensors, the beep recording our start time, telling us that we are officially on our way.  At this point, everyone is on a high. 

Fast forward to Mile 1.  This isn't so bad.  My time looks good, a bit faster than I'd expected and I'm feeling good.  The crowds cheering at the side of the road and the cars honking as they pass, add to the fun and help motivate me.

At the 2.3 mile water station, I figure I need to stay hydrated, so I grab a water pouch.  Luckily I had watched the instructive video on how to open it.   The big question was whether or not to stop at a Portaloo, but I decided I was all right to keep on going. 

Not quite as fast-forward, but still moving along, at about 5.5 miles, the lead runner flew effortlessly past, on his second lap!  Feelings alternate between envy and awe - if he can do it finish this, so can I.   Inspired, I continue into Midsummer Common, stopping briefly, as Nature doesn't take into account that the clock is ticking.  Sadly, I run past the turn-off to the finish line, I still have another lap to go. 

Another mile under my belt as I pass the Mile 7 marker and realize that I'm more than half  way there.  Still feeling quite good, until I remember that this lap will be the hard one.  I've run 7 miles regularly in training, but this is going to be new territory.

At 8.9 miles I approach the Drink Station and decide it's time for a gel.  I'm thinking to myself that, prior to training for this race, a run would have involved a car and a stop for jam and scone.  Unfortunately this gel doesn't have a scone attached, but hopefully it will help my energy levels, which are starting to wane.

By Mile 10, the balls of my feet are starting to hurt.  I don't know how to "train" for this issue - they are fine for shorter runs, but once I cover around 10 miles, they start to throb.  There are two men running together just ahead of me.  One of them is running with  a 20kg pack on his bag, which they appear to be taking turns to carry.  Wow!  Everywhere I look I see runners wearing tee shirts bearing the names of the charities that they are supporting or people that they are doing this run for.  It really is inspirational to see so many out running, in support of some-one or something that they believe in.  Mantra time - I am young(ish), I'm healthy and I'm fit.  I can do this. 

Mile 11.1 -As I run past the last drink station, I am offered a water pouch or Gin & tonic!!  No, they said " isotonic" cartons.  Too bad, a G&T sounds good right about now.

Back through Jesus Green and Midsummer Common, we seem to be zig-zagging all over the place.  I can see where the finish arch must be, but unfortunately we are not taking the most direct route to it.  My feet feel awful. I'm alternating between running with my toes scrunched up, stretched out, running on my toes, on the outside of my feet or on the inside but nothing seems to help.  There are loads of people around, cheering us on, which really does help.  Even if I'm not really "almost there", their enthusiasm does make me smile.   As I reach yet another corner, I realize that I've just  passed the Portaloos, which means I only have one short stretch until I'm in the finish funnel!  Off I hobble to that last corner and then suddenly (well, not exactly) there is the glorious arch.  I really do seem to be rejuvenated as I fly towards it.  I'm actually passing people as my mantra runs through my head - I'm young, I'm healthy, I'm fit and and I've done it!!  Family and friends are cheering wildly as I cross the finish line and am directed into a tent, to collect my medal and snacks.  I trudge through the mud to be reunited with my family, glad it's over.  But as we head back to the car and I am talking about my experience and I realize that my feet don't hurt anymore.  Even scarier, I'm thinking to myself "hopefully the weather will be better next year when I do it again!"

I’ve run a few 10k’s and decided it was time to look for a new challenge. I eagerly entered one of Rat Race’s Notorious night runs…not just content on taking part in an obstacle run, I chose one at night through the forest!

I received all the emails beforehand; parking pass, directions and of course the all-important safety information which included the words ‘hilly, steep, muddy, rough, dark.’ It was at this point I wondered what I’d let myself in for.

The day finally came…I made sure I had the mandatory head torch (with new batteries), change of warm clothes and plenty of water due to no shower facilities.

I arrived to a beautiful sunny forest, collected my race pack containing free technical t-shirt and numbered wristband, then waited for evening to fall.

When registering, I had chosen to run in the first wave so that I could start in a little daylight…and it gave me more time to complete the course.

At 5.15pm the first wave (that’s me) were called into the start area for a safety briefing…no time for backing out now! I happened to be standing between Robin Hood, Maid Marian and, strangely, a cow. Before I knew it we were off and running…I say running, but ten strides or so and I reached two stacks of straw bales which seemed rather high! A little scrabbling and I was over and on my way.

The route gradually worked its way into the forest and it wasn’t long before I had to turn on my head torch. Running along the narrow tracks through the forest seemed a little surreal at first, but soon found a steady pace and enjoyed the winding route (which was well marked with reflective tape).

There were many natural obstacles, tree roots, branches, ups and downs as well as a few that were man made to add that extra challenge. It is here that I will say if you don’t want to get muddy, this isn’t really a run for you.

There were nets to crawl under (through mud), a steep bridge, webs of bungee cord, beams to clamber over and under and the large, very sloppy mud pit to crawl through. There wasn’t much of a queue at obstacles and if anyone got stuck there always seemed to be a ‘helping’ hand to give a little push if needed.

Just over half way I came to ‘Spooky Forest’ which had been described in the briefing “follow the tape around the edge, or for the adventurous, cut through the middle of the dense section where there is no path”. I had opted for the track following the edge…followed by a small group of runners. Unfortunately I somehow lost the path (no surprise to those who know me) and ended up stumbling through the middle, still being followed! I lost count of how many bushes and trees I crawled and scrambled through before I caught a glimpse of the reflective tape again…phew!

The finish seemed to come quicker than I was expecting…running out of the forest to the finish area where spectators gathered. The only thing that stood between a rather muddy runner and the finish banner was a steep slippy slope with a rope! Climbing up was fairly easy with the right technique, but trying to jump off and land on your feet when legs are covered in cold mud is not so easy. A short run and I had crossed the chip timing mat…elation (I had made it round my first adventure run, and was still in one piece). I collected my medal and the important bar of chocolate.

The support from spectators was fantastic and the man at the end with the hosepipe was a welcome sight. The hardest part of it all was trying to clean off all the mud. Once looking a little more human I headed to the event village where there was a heated bar tent with live music, and a full catering van. Quite a few of the runners took tents and camped in their dedicated area…I decided on driving home to a warm shower and comfy bed.

The run was a fantastic experience with an amazing atmosphere, and for all levels of runners. If you want a run with a difference then try this one. I shall be returning next year!