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| Golden fields and blue skies add to trail appeal. |
Event: Trails, Tales and Ales
Guest speaker: Lauren Gregory
Location: Chruch Farm Brewery, Budbrooke CV35 8QL
Date: Friday July 15, 2022
I CONFESS, I was a little nervous about my first Trails, Tales and Ales (TTA) event organised by Big Bear Events. While I love being out on the trails, I haven’t done so for some time.
As with many others, I’m cautiously easing back into running after
lockdown.
I was unsure about what to expect: ‘What was it all about? ‘Was I ‘up
to it,’ ‘Would I be able to keep up (and not get lost somewhere in the wilds of
Warwickshire?)’
But, as is usually the case with this kind of thing, I needn’t
have worried.
It was fantastic - delightful, energizing, satisfying, refreshing. And that was only the beer!
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| Cool delight after a warm run |
I’d initially registered for Big Bear’s night-time run – the Gato
Sports Head Torch 10k, around Salcey Forest, Northampton - in February.
Unfortunately, I was ‘grounded’ by Covid, and had to pull out.
But last Friday’s event, in the TTA series, with ultra-runner guest
Lauren Gregory, sounded fun.
So I signed up.
The TTA event is a social run, not a race. You're not charging around the countryside battling it out for a medal and bragging rights.
There is no medal - but there's lovely ale!
What I want to praise straight off, is the brilliant organisation
by Paul Albon, Race Director of the Warwickshire-based Big Bear Events Ltd. And, no I'm not getting a free pint to say this!
Regular emails ahead of the event not only act as a reminder,
but tell you everything you need to know. They are friendly, but not bogged down
in waffle.
For example, you are left in no doubt that you need to get there
on time.
‘We won’t be waiting for late comers,’ writes Paul. ‘Please arrive at 17:45 ready to be running at 18:00. If you are late feel free to sit and wait for us at the brewery, or if you’re a bit rapid and have the route, catch one of the groups up.’
Great!
Nobody can argue that they ‘didn’t know.’
You’re also advised to bring your bank card as well, if you want
to buy beer and burgers at the end of the run. Again, something that’s not always
spelled out.
LOCATION
The event is held at Church Farm Brewery, in Budbrooke, near
Warwick. Having allowed for possible traffic hold-ups, I turned up the bumpy,
dusty track to the venue and arrived in good time.
Others were already there.
Sporting their running vests, it looked like they knew what they
were about.
Uh oh!
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| Race director Paul - ready for the trail |
Turns out some had tackled this year’s Race To The Tower, the 52.4 ultra-marathon along the Cotswold Way finishing at the 65-foot Broadway Tower.
Hmmm. Yes, they did know what they were about! As one member from
the Nuneaton-based Bermuda Striders I chatted to en route pointed out (with the authentic voice of experience): ‘It’s
a loooong way!’
Impressive turn out, by the way, Striders!
Luckily, our route on Friday was only nudging 6 miles, so I
reckoned that was manageable!
ROUTE
Paul divided us into two groups - 4.5-mile and 5.5-mile (give or
take a yard or two) – with the 4.5 group setting off first. The aim was that
the groups should finish at about the same time. It worked. They did!
And what a delightful route. After about a mile of running through
fields, we followed the Grand Union canal towpath, gently undulating alongside the
distinctive locks at Hatton, for a couple of miles.
Sunlight sparkled off the water.
There were occasional stops for photos and people to catch up.
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| Along the towpath |
Running in single file at a steady pace through the golden crop,
with blue sky and sun shining, was magic. Uplifting! The sort of thing that
makes you want to, well, get back out on the trails!
On returning to base, you have the opportunity to buy a burger and
beer – beautifully brewed on site! – hence the need to take your bank card!
A marquee and picnic tables create a lively al fresco buzz.
A cautionary note. It might be an idea to let your partner know the name of the burger company before you go.
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| Bag that burger! |
When my wife noticed on our account that I’d spent money at a ‘strip club,’ eyebrows were raised.
After a bit of coughing and spluttering, I explained that the
burger company’s name was . . . Stripclub Streetfood!
I was given ‘that look.’
Thank goodness for photographic evidence and Strava!
TALK
Following refreshment, we were ushered into the brewery itself.
Surrounded by gleaming steel vats, Paul introduced ultra-runner
Lauren.
Mum-of-two Lauren, who lives near Leamington Spa, South
Warwickshire, is a keen ultra-marathon athlete, having competed in various
distances from 50km up to 100 miles in one go.
In October 2021 she took part in the brutal Marathon Des Sables -
a 250km multi-stage race, regarded as the toughest footrace on earth, completed
over 7 days across the Sahara Desert.
She finished as 1st British Lady and 8th Overall Lady.
And only this month, she took part in the inaugural Snowdon 24
event, where you ‘simply’ have to run up and down Snowdon ( 1085m / 3560 ft) as
many times as you can in 24 hours!
Oh, and the last lap only counts if you cross the finish line
before midday.
Lauren is also an award-winning fitness instructor and founder of Run
Like A Girl (RLAG), promoting women’s running.
The format was Paul and Lauren in ‘discussion,’ with the audience asking
questions, as and when.
Lauren told it ‘as it was’ – including revealing some of the more
‘basic’ elements encountered while running, and techniques used in certain
situations!
It was good to hear not only how ‘great’ and satisfying running
was, but also about some of the realities of long-distance endurance
challenges.
Of course, that includes plenty of training. Lauren has an
‘understanding husband’ – a cyclist – and they plan their training and family
commitments together.
You can’t take on this kind of challenge without that self-belief
and determination.
As RLAG members will testify, Lauren’s gift is to inspire and make
the ‘impossible,’ whatever that may be, eminently achievable.
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| Audience view - members listen to Paul and Lauren |
For me, the Big Bear Event has re-ignited my enthusiasm for trail
running, with Lauren’s talk acting as confirmation and support for experienced
runners, and inspiration for newbies.
And I was able to keep up after all!
FOOTNOTE: Would I do it again? . . . Why, all signed up for the next event!
There are two other sessions this year in Big Bear TTA events at Church
Farm Brewery. They are:
· Friday,
July 29, 5:45pm- 8:30pm, with ultra-runner, endurance coach
and mental health advocate, Allie Bailey
· Friday
August 26, 5:45pm- 8:30pm, with GB-level endurance athlete and
Asics Frontrunner, Sarah Booker
Click the links below for further details:
·
TTA and other Big Bear Events
·
Church Farm Brewery, CV35 8QL
