Stinger Debut

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BY: phil Morris

Published: 19th February, 2012

Xcracer.com debut!! Now that's what I call a great start to the season. Husband and wife win The Stinger, mixed pairs competition. Leaving Mid Wales at stupid o'clock in the morning was not very appealing to me, but it was well worth the trip to one of our favourite race venue's and event organised by a great team! However, this was not the usual kind of race we go to, it was a dualathon and being as Phil doesn't do running!! I was keen to give it a go, although I seldom do any running, only when the pool is shut and then it's usually only for a short distance! But after doing my first ever race back in November, I kind of got the bug. I used to enjoy going for a run, in my college day's but that was hampered by having cartilage ops on both of my knees, so hence the conversion to swimming!!

Any way back to the race, we arrived about 3 hours later to Newnham Park, had a quick chat to team mate Matt, who was having a go at the solo (brave man!) and a few other familiar faces. It wasn't long and it was the rider briefing, which scared the hell out of me and left Phil dying to see the state of me after completing the stinger run!!

11am came and about 100 runners took off like lightening after the quad! This was a pace that I wasn't accustomed too and I'm glad to say did ease slightly when we hit the cottage return climb!! It was all in all a very hard, but quite fun 5k off road hilly, up and down and up, up some more run! I was about 3rd woman for a while then 2 women runners passed me. I had to grit me teeth to find a bit more and upped the pace a little. It wasn't long and I passed them walking, so I sneaked on by! They then came back by me a little later on and then on the final descent I legged it and passed them both, to sprint into the transition 3rd woman home and 2nd place mixed pair about 2 minutes behind Amy Sole (who was going very strong!)I tagged Phil who headed out on the bike for 4 laps of the same course. I tried to warm down and catch my breath- as my chest was killing!! About 15/18 minutes later Phil returned just behind Paul Sole. He went at a steady pace and not pushing too hard as he knew that the way his chest has been this last week- any strain and he would be cooked!! Plus he knew that I had done quite well on my run so the pressure was on him now! After the second lap he came in first place just a few yards in front of Paul. I geared him on and hoped that he would stretch out the distance between them, so I could get a bit of a lead into the dreaded Stinger Run! I'm glad to say he did and over the next 2 laps he gained each time and came over the transition, with about a 5 minute gap. Then I headed out down towards the river, across the river we went and then it was a very soggy run across the bank. From there it was then up, up and up a very rooty, muddy bank. Then a little bit of downhill, jumping over brambles and logs and a few ducks under braches and the odd rebound off a tree! Down to the bogs and I mean bogs I ended up knee depth in a stinking bog!! Nice- oh! Well the run from there was hell with a heavy right leg, and a stick tagging onto my leg I pushed on. A few stream crossing's later we hit a bit of road and then before my eye's there was a steep climb, where I can only say you had to climb with hands and feet!! Marked out by tape hanging from the trees! A few swear words later and a big what the hell, there having a laugh later! I reached the top it was then all of camber bunny hops over logs and brambles until the mine shaft!!! At least it was downhill!! I knew upon reaching here, I was nearly home so I just chugged along and it wasn't long till I heard "come on Donna!!" Phil was waiting posed with the camera to catch a fetching picky as I was coming to the finish. Bloody brilliant, over the line in first place! Very muddy, wet and stinky!! We brought it home for Xcracer.com about 7 minutes up on second place Amy and Paul Sole. Well done!!

A nice souvenir mug and a smile from 'ear to ear' from me.

I really enjoyed the race in a funny kind of way, just the journey home was a killer and I got sever cramp at the Seven Bridge and had to pull over for Phil to drive!!

Looking forward to next year already!! Well nearly!! Bet I will be suffering tomorrow!!

Well done to all the team, cracking event and very well run!! A credit to you!!!Super result for Maddie, even though you left me stuck in the bog!! And well done to Matt for completing the solo.

Donna Morris, Team Manager Xcracer.com