Filthy Foxes Dirty Weekend

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BY: Donna Morris

Published: 6th May, 2013

A fantastic week away after the nationals in Redruth was topped off by a really super weekend in Newnham Park.

The Filthy Foxes Dirty Weekend was more like sunbathed foxes for change! The weather overall was glorious, despite having a pretty miserable and wet Saturday morning the afternoon and Sunday certainly made up for it.

Maddie and Jay really put on a fantastic event and I can honestly say I have never put my body through so much pain in a weekend. However, I was buzzing and it was a really fun, memorable weekend for all the Morris's, even daddy! Who managed to watch me on the bike all weekend.( well he did sneak off on the bike with jay on Saturday night!!).

The event for those of you don't know was a female only event. It was designed for all abilities and there was a programme of events which covered the 2 days. You didn't have to do all events, in fact many just picked a few. But me being a bit of a determined creature I entered everything. Which I think only 2 women out of about 50-60 actually where mad enough to do so!! (Kim Long riding for Certini, being the other!!).

My day started on Saturday with Outdoor circuits at 9am for 40 minutes. I do a fair bit of exercise, but have never done circuits before. I started off with plenty of layers, but soon I was striping off. I partnered up with Kim and all I can say as it was hard, but really gave you a sense of achievement. Then with no rest it was pretty much straight into MTB skills session with Calamity Cann, although I was soaked and shivering like a leaf, it was really well coached and I picked u a few tips along the way. Drop offs, riding planks and lifting up over obstacles.

Then it was to the MTB Course Coached session, led by Maddie. I was in a group with Kim and 2 other ladies. The course was really enjoyable, nothing too technical, because it was designed not too be too off putting but there was enough to keep you on ya toes and to test your bike handling skills. With a few twisty climbs, a rooty bridge crossing, a beast of a climb, which just went on and on and the brilliant cottage return descent. With the big bomb hole, which after being coached by Maddie, I have never ridden it so fast and certainly has improved my riding through it!

 

Then we hurried back to base, and I collected my demo bike (specialised Ruby). Phil quickly put my SPD's on it and we were off. a group of about 8 of different abilities on a 19 mile road ride. The scenery was stunning and the company wasn't bad either!! Lovely to have a chat with a mix of ladies. The pace was good and on the way back myself and 2 others pushed on home at a leg burner pace, well after the mornings activities, mine felt like it!

Then it was pretty much a quick energy bar and it was the maintenance session. This was really interesting and very helpful. I attended the advanced session, but there was beginners sessions as well. And I can know tell you that today I carefully took the time to give my bike a strip down and gave it a really good clean, with minimal water as Josh told us too!! It took forever tho!

Then I had my first break of the day, well 40 minutes until my little cherubs were racing! They raced their little hearts out, and it was so nice to see Ryley on his trike, assisted by daddy taking part in his first proper bike race. His smiley face was priceless.

Following the kids race I had an hour until the 5k off road run. The run was the same course as the MTB so there was no jog around the park, it was a tough off road one, with a river crossing thrown in as well! Just before the long climb, cheers mad's!! I can run, but after surgery on both knees I now only bike and swim. But I still like to have the odd short race, my last run being the stinger back in Feb. So I knew I was going to pay for it in the morning and my bike race on Sunday was going to hampered, but it was all part of the challenge this weekend.

Being away from home for 10 days I had clean forgot that the Filthy weekend involved me needing pair of running shorts. So Phil's shorts to the rescue, even though I looked like I was about t to take off!! With stitch settling in I wasn't looking forward to it really, but thankfully although it hurt it didn't get any worse during the race.

Boss man was the race starter and had the honk of his horn we were off! Rocket pace set by young superstar in the making, Lucy Allan and Fay Cripps a very good runner and athlete.(so I have been informed!). Lucy's lightening pace was obviously taking it's toll and in the woods I got ahead. I was in 3 rd place behind Fiona Murphy and on the little climb up towards the field I upped the pace and got in front. Fay had well gone, but I just kept up the pace and began to pull away from Fiona. Cottage return was a welcome descent, but along the single-track by the river, my back was giving me jip. I must have looked a sight but I just kept on going, hoping not to get caught. I managed to hold on to 2nd place and crossed the line in 25.40! With a rather shocked husband at the line!

Recovery drink and a cool down jog with Hali-Rae and a quick bite to eat, before the evening was rounded off nicely with wine and cake and a chat to the elite athletes.

 

Sunday Morning came and dead legs arose, stiff as a board, but just about going!! The dreaded queen of the hill. Runners versus Riders up the monster cliff climb! Maddie kindly managed with a bit of inside knowledge to put good riders against good runners. So there was no rest for the wicked. However, my attempt was shocking and my dead legs were showing through.

Thanks to Zach Winsley for this pic.

12 o clock was upon us and it was challenge time , my aim in a nice way was to beat Kim. Who to date had failed to beat. We both had taking part in all activities so were both suffering the affects!!

We casually got started and it was a quick pace led by Lucy, followed by Fay, Kim then myself. Up in the woods me and Kim kept jumping places and it was like cat and mouse. Cramp was trying to get me but failed! just a nagging feeling if I pushed too much.  Positioning  pretty much stayed like this until the 3rd lap I think. I manage to get a gap on the climb. Kim seemed to pull back time on the descents. I must still be a bit brake happy!! A large bramble bush managed to attack me and left me with blood pouring down my arm and a dozen thorns in my skin, but adrenaline soon got me over it and numb any pain!

From what I can recall going into the 4th lap I had quite a gap and I just despite having horrendous feelings in my legs had to keep going. My little supports gave me endless support and spurred me on. Going into the final lap I was buggered, my legs getting heavier and heavier. Every pedal stroke was agony, but my challenge was in my head and I knew that Kim would have to really give a big kick to get back to me. I  came hanging to the finish, very happy, and 3rd place. My lap times were good and I still don't actually know how I managed to pull through all the aches and pains and race. Now im left today unable to walk down the stairs in a straight line, but  I loved every minute of it. Get it in your diary for next year!! It's a must do event.

I wouldn't have got through the weekend without my energy supply and recovery products from ACCELERADE.

Well done to all ladies who took part, do keep your riding up.

 Thank you to everyone involved in helping out in anyway. And once again thank you to my sponsors.

Donna Morris

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