Stinger 2013

BY: phil Morris

Published: 18th February, 2013

Title Retained!!

Yesterday was the 11^th annual stinger event at Newnham Park, Plympton. This was our second attempt, having won the mixed pairs in 2012. Phil was working Sunday night so it meant taking 2 cars as far as the m4, so we set off at 6am and met at Newport. Nothing like a 3 and a half hour drive to get your legs in the mood for a killer off road duathlon. As well as nursing an injured knee, which decided to play up just the day before, the dreaded start of a cold and having not done the slightest bit of running for well over 6 months!! (Well apart from last weekend at round 1 of the welsh- I suppose that was a little bit of stinger run preparation!!).

So you could say I was feeling very apprehensive about even starting the race, let alone do well or even finish! Especially as Phil was keen to retain our title. The mixed pair's entry was looking flush with some tough competition too.

On arriving we had about an hour before the race kicked off at 11, so we signed on and picked up our goodies to keep us fuelled over the next few months from ACCELERADE. The weather was beautiful, so it was nice to soak up a few rays.

Stretching time for me, although no real warm up as my knee was already nagging me, so I just laid on the deep heat and radon B, to dull the pain. I lined up near the front of the pack and a quick countdown, got us underway. The first couple of hundred yards was like lightening to the first climb, then the pace eased a little and a little less hectic. I just had to remember in my head I need to finish, so I carried my knee a little and didn't want to go flat out and completely knacker it, so I just went pace I hoped it could manage. Thank fully it did, the hardest part was running downhill and the flat running. I felt quite good fitness wise, although I may be should have taken my base layer off as the sun was beaming, thus adding to my rosy cheeks! There were a couple of women ahead off me but I came in to hand over to Phil in around 24 minutes and in 5^th place woman (I think). We were in 2^nd place in our category, so Phil had a task on his hands. To hunt down team Kerrnow! Going into the second lap we were about a minute and a half behind 1^st place. By now I had cooled off and was starting to cramp, a little. So I did some stretches, put a layer on and went for a slow jog down to the river crossing. By this point Phil had over taken Stacey Bray and we were now in 1^st place. Over the next 2 laps, I was constantly watching the clock and checking the gap we had. Because, the runner, Debbie Starkey, was a very good runner and I knew she would probably be a bit quicker than me. By the end of the 3^rd lap we were about 3 minutes up. Not a lot but I though Phil may gain a little bit more on the final lap, so I would have a little lead into the stinger run. In came Phil, tagged me, then off up the steep, zig zag climb. To describe the stinger run, wouldn't do it justice. So you can only imagine an uncombed steep wooded hillside, which is in the middle of a cut down and plenty of sinking sand, mud and puddles, there you have the stinger run. My legs were screaming at me and my head was just reminding me don't be silly and just keep a decent pace and once I was on the final road back, I had a glance and couldn't see anyone, so I knew I didn't have to up the pace for the last few hundred yards. I came over the line in just over 23 minutes, and we had done it again!! Thank god, I would have never lived it down. I collected my stinger mug and we headed to the car, to get changed. STINGER RUN = DEAD LEGS AND STILL DEAD AS IM WRITING THIS A DAY LATER!! I could only just get out of the car when I got home, and today going down the stairs is hell. Brilliant event, awesome atmosphere, only one downside, I can't ride my bike today in the nice sunshine!! Legs are shredded.

Quite an achievement really, as Phil managed to say" to be honest, I didn't think we would do it, you were pretty quick on the second run dear!!"

For some reason, I have better times on the stinger run, I did last year. After looking at the times, which will be published on xcrcaer soon, as well as photos from the day. On the first run I was about 52^nd overall and on the second run about 8^th overall and third woman.

Thank you to Martyn and the whole team and I'm not sure thanking Jay and Mad is the right term, as they designer the stinger run!! But you deserve a pat on the back. I still cant decide which year was the hardest, maybe we need a vote??

Thanks to our sponsors who without we wouldn't be out there pushing our bodies to the limit!

Husband and Wifey Morris

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