The Dukeries Ultra makes great use of all of the tracks around Sherwood
Forest and Clumber Park which makes for a fairly flat course with mostly
decent running surfaces. We set off at 8am and I was layered up due to a
blustery wind, however the sun came out within 2 miles so I was soon
taking layers off. The Bluebells were out in force which provided a nice
distraction but I have to admit my legs were tired from the start. Even so
I got to CP 1 feeling good and enjoying another day in the country. This
started to change at about 15 miles when the residual aches from the last
weekends 50 started to make themselves known. I was pleased to reach 20
miles so I could start counting down the numbers! Now it was getting over
cast and I was starting to chill so I put another layer on and immediately
felt too hot but at least I wasn't cold. We ran through some lovely
estates and lots of woods but sadly the only deer I saw was a road kill.
By now I was repeatedly passing and being passed by the same people as we
took walk breaks so I knew there were others suffering too. My excuse was
not enough recovery time after last weekend. Later when I was tucking into
a pie at the finish I discovered that one couples excuse was that they did
the MDS 3 weeks ago. At about 30 miles it started to rain too but
thankfully not as badly as had apparently been forcasted. The final 7
miles eventually arrived after we skirted Clumber Park cutting through
Hardwick Village (£6 for cars). I knew by now that it was going to be
close to seven and a half hours. In the end I clocked 7 hours 32 minutes
on the Garmin. Did I enjoy it? Mostly
Noel Jones |