The Slimbridge “Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust” 10k(ish)

Natalie Dellar writes:-

Did the Slimbridge “Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust” 10k(ish) tonight 17th September and it was an interesting one. Thankfully by the time I got in to Gloucestershire, the sun was shining. It stayed quite bright for the 6.20pm start.

The race started by going from from the WWT visitor centre, along some country lanes and on to a canal. “This is great” I thought, “just the sort of thing I’m used to”. It then took a different turn....!

We were directed across some fields, with confused looking cows spectating, and then it hit -  a field that just appeared to be a muddy puddle with a few tufts of grass sticking out!! I have never seen so much mud. I was praying for the ground to swallow me up, and at this point, and it nearly did – before I knew it I was shin deep in gloop, and that was the path that was easiest to get through.

We then ran up a bank to the estuary, and could see the sunset with all the birds sitting on the sand. It was very pretty and I  think it is at times like this you forget the fact your trainers are squelching and smell of cow poo, and realize all the training and hard slog is worth it for some of the sights you see.

We then went across more fields,  with more cows. This time they had their babies in tow and there was some very angry sounding moo-ing, although I was assured by the Marshall that they were friendly as they were his own cows! We looped back on to the canal, and then on some road, and took an interesting turn through a field of maize before heading over yet more fields and back on the road to the centre.

After a disagreement with a turnip at the Badger bite a few years ago, I didn’t really think “cross country” was my thing, and as this race was described, I did expect the ratio of field to solid paths to be a bit more in my favour, but I actually quite enjoyed myself off road. Came away with a wildlife trust lapel badge as a memento, and a real feeling I’d done some proper running.

My Garmin said it was 6.72 miles, and I finished in 1:10. Considering the conditions I am chuffed, that’s about 10:30  minute miles and I felt quite ok at the end. Makes me think I can possibly hit an hour for 10k if I was on a nice flat road course.

I would recommend it, for the views and the atmosphere but with the amount of rain we’ve had recently you have to be able to tolerate a bit of mud to enjoy!!