Wearing off the Christmas Dinner
What started off as a small gathering escalated beyond belief over the last few days. When I heard a fellow running friend (Matt) was popping back to Ipswich for Christmas I created an event for a potential trail run.
The main purpose of the event was social with a bit of running thrown in for fun. I wanted to make it so everyone felt welcome but I knew this would be a hard challenge to do as ultimately everyone has a different pace, a different ability and different experience.
It spiralled from a few people turning up to over 30 people joining us for a run. Luckily I had some helpful co-pilots for the event (Clare and Sean) and this meant that when we ended up with over 30 people wanting to come and play we could make it work for everyone.
Our route started at the Maybush Pub in Waldringfield - which was picked for ease as everyone could park for a bargain £1. The proposal was to all stay together for the first section of the route and then potentially split off at 4 miles depending on how everyone was finding the pace and the fall out from Christmas day food!
With so many people participating we needed to have a plan of action. Clare knew the proposed route the best so she took the lead and everyone fell into line behind. Sean also took the anchor position at the rear to ensure that we didn't leave anyone behind. I took the role of hovering between the front and the back checking in with everyone and making sure we re-grouped where required. Although it felt a little stressful while on route for me everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the beautiful scenery.
The first section of the route took us down a dirt track and round a field towards the main river bed. The sun was shining down on the river and it looks stunning. It is hard to believe that it is the end of December from the view. It has to be said though that this was the coolest run I have done for a while and I was grateful for my additional layers.
Fron the corner shown in the photo above you could run right or left along the River. You can track the River round for as far as you can pretty much see. We followed the river bank round to the right and headed back to the marina outside the Maybush pub.
As we headed back along the River bank the sun started to warm up. It was a stunning day to embrace the countryside we have on our door step. As we have started to joke 'outside is for free' - gotta make the most of what we have - and running in such glorious places is the best gift ever! There are already lots of plans for 2017 trail runs between Bury St Edmunds and the Suffolk Coast - it is going to be a great year for lacing up the trail shoes and embracing these opportunities.
The route took us along the beach where we had a small regroup before heading along the sand into a small wooded area. The smaller trails then started as we ran across several fields and up towards the Fox Inn pub. I have no idea why in the photo below I appear to be spinning around like a crazy person - it must have been the excitement from seeing everyone have such a great run.
The final section of the route winds through lots of trees and trails. You need to go one at a time and keep an eye open for tree routes and especially what is under the leaves. It took us a little while to get round the whole 7 miles - but that was mainly due to the volume of people we had out and the regrouping sessions throughout the run.
As we emerged from the trees and it opened up across the final fields the pace did quicken - but I think everyone had the end in sight and knew a cuppa coffee or a pint would be waiting for them at the Maybush pub. I am pretty sure the pub may have been surprised by the influx of runners turning up at the pub at 11am. It is handy to know for future however that the pub is in fact open for breakfast from 9am in the morning.
Having the venue at the end was great - it offered a opportunity for people to catch up and have a natter about recent Christmas activities before heading home. The whole morning left me buzzing and the feedback and thanks we have received for arranging the event has been immense. Will certainly be trying to arrange another one in the New Year - lets just hope it is as successful and everyone had enjoyed the running as much as catching up with Matt while he was back in the country.
