This year I intend to do some things a little bit differently. For starters I shall be wearing trail running shoes rather than lightweight walking boots. Although I did run in the boots they did let water in (either they leaked, or the water went in over the top), so this time I will be wearing trail running shoes and waterproof socks. This will mean that water gets into the shoes, but will drain out again (because they are not waterproof) and the socks should keep my feet dry. I will have several pairs available to me (in my pack and also in my drop bag) so if a pair starts to leak I can swap them over for a fresh pair.
I will also have a couple of alternative trail shoes available to swap over (in my drop bag) so if I have problems a new/different pair of shoes wont be far away.
So today I tested my first trail shoe option, these if they live up to my expectations will be my starting shoes - the ones I will start the race in. They are a pair of very bright Scott Kinabalu trail shoes.
I took them out of the box, donned a pair of liner socks and a pair of the waterproof socks over the top, put the shoes on and then put my running gaiters on over the top to stop the shoes filling up with stones, then set off into the soggy countryside (it had rained lots the previous day).
To say it was muddy was an understatement...
I really enjoy the off road running, it is so much more enjoyable than road plodding, you have to keep your wits about you as the ground beneath your feet is constantly changing, hard, soft, wet, dry, uneven... It changes all the time.
Anyway, I set off over the waterlogged fields, towards Wicken woods, fields were flooded, and the river was high, the grip on the shoes was outstanding and the socks were doing a great job of keeping the my feet dry.
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| Did I mention it was a bit muddy? |
And then headed back towards Wicken village. Through the village I headed back out into the fields, skirting Deanshanger and then out towards Stony Stratford, again across the fields. I had to briefly stop when I reached the field near the river in Stony to allow a yappy dog to be hauled back under control by its master, running with one of these at your ankles is asking for trouble.
Back out of Stony I headed back towards Deanshanger and skirted round the other side, running up a footpath that goes through the middle of a field of young crops. Out the other side, down to the river and up top the end of my road. I checked the distance on my watch - 12.75 miles - Ooh another 1/4 of a mile and I will have a cross country half marathon under my belt, so I did a little loop in the village until my watched beeped the 13 miles, then headed in.
Hosing my shoes and lower legs down I reflected on the run. The shoes were perfect, so these will be my starting shoes (pending a distance test on one of my training weekends) and the socks kept my feet dry, albeit a little bit damp through sweat, but nothing compared to how wet they would have been without the waterproof socks. I will have replacement liner socks a plenty so can change these regularly between checkpoints, and I shall carry foot powder with me this time which will help in keeping my feet nice and dry and peachy.
I mentioned I will have a choice of footwear in my drop bag. The intention is to have 2 other pairs available, a larger pair of trail shoes (I have been told your feet swell up to a size larger deep into the race), so the extra size will help there, and the other pair will be a light pair of running boots, for when I get extra tired and need the extra support towards the end. I have to get these yet so I can test them, but I have a good idea on which these will be. These will be talked about in future blogs :-)
