Toad
Challenge
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Unofficial Results |
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On Friday I and a few others lined up to take on the Toad Challenge; run from Oxford to Walton on Thames, over 3 days, following the Thames path. Day 1 was 27 miles, supposedly the easy day, but the sun was full on, temperature pushing 26 and little shade or breeze. Despite this it was a most enjoyable day out in the country. We stopped overnight in a school gym very smartly lined with a tent like arrangement. Alas the banquet tables were not for us, but the canteen was pretty good. Day 2 was 32 miles and while the 1st 10 miles went well the remaining 20 went on a bit. Immediately after finishing it was down to Boots for various pain and blister remedies. Not forgetting the pie and chips! Similar evening with pasta and meat balls followed by another night in a school gym. Day 3 and I knew it would be hard to keep going. I programmed the Garmin for .5 mile intervals with .15 mile rest (ie walk) and became a slave to it. For a long while I ran past people for them to run past me when I was walking but eventually the strategy showed it's benefits. Not that racing was on my mind - the goal was 50 or so run/walks to the finish. I added about a mile by running on the wrong side of the river at Staines (thankfully the path petered out quite soon after the bridge) but over 90 miles that's not too bad. Top marks to XNRG for the organisation. The Thames Path makes a great route too with such good scenery. Ask Rob about the cows on day 1 though!
Noel