My urge to have a nice run in the Chilterns was not matched by any want to get out of bed early and cycle to Watlington on freezing roads so instead I jumped in the car and drove there along the M40. It was a somewhat unnerving journey as it was only once the windscreen was splatted with salty melt water that I realized the squirty bottle was frozen solid and what with the low sun directly in my eyes visibility was extremely poor. Still I arrived at the sports pavilion good and early and rinsed the worst off with my water bottle before going inside and collecting my number.

Despite having paid my £5 entry for the Watlington XC XK Hill race already via Runners World I was asked to fill in and sign an entry form, presumably so they organisers had it in writing that it was my problem if I fell down the hill and broke things. It was a friendly atmosphere as maybe a hundred of us gathered and gradually peeled outer layers off to expose flesh to the bright but frosty morning. A warm-up jog round the field then the 5 minute stroll to the start by Pyrton Field Farm where hot drinks were available – something to look forward to at the finish if we were still cold. No megaphone for the announcer but I caught the bit about the course actually being 10.7km – then a blast from an air-horn and we were off!

Up the track for half a k then left onto the Ridgeway where we ascended very, very gently. I stayed near the back as we gradually found our positions and watched my feet on the frozen, rutted ground. The conditions were perfect and I was dead comfy in shorts, long-sleeve and thin gloves. A couple of easy miles in and we turned eastward and started the first proper climb, I knew I’d be walking some of it so started to do so before legs and lungs forced me. Others struggled on a few more metres then also ended up walking but were perhaps too busy trying to get their breath back to appreciate just how fine it was to be in the Chiltern on a sunny day all sparkling with frost. That lump was called Bald Hill which I thought was a bit insulting as it was at least part covered and very pretty. I caught sight of a yellow marshal jacket and what looked like the road at the top of the escarpment so started running again gaining a couple of places from the still puffed.

Almost immediately we turned back west onto a path and after crossing a field were descending fast, maybe a bit too fast considering the frozen sunken path we were on. Soon onto grass de-iced by the sun and enjoying the downhill despite having to slow for a couple of kissing gates. Then the course flattened out and we followed a twisty single-track through Shirburn Wood, the many roots and stumps highlighted for us in a surreal dayglo orange.

A mile or so and we turned uphill again, gently at first but soon we were all walking. I think this one was called Pyrton Hill, my second 12 minute mile of the day. A marshal reassured that we were almost at the top, confirmed by the aerial mast in the field we arrived in. Then right onto a narrow path and immediately back down again. I passed 3 guys taking it cautiously but thought it looked safe to let go myself as no frost or ice seemed to have formed in the shade of the trees and bushes surrounding the path. The orange paint must have run out, I kept my eyes down and a few metres ahead. A female voice from behind asked how the time was as I’d just checked my watch, I told her and said I’d didn’t quite think we’d get under the hour. We flew downhill together on this fabulous track, I clocked 7:40 for that mile – much better!

Then right to rejoin the Ridgeway for a few minutes before turning left to retrace down the track we’d started along. I kept momentum from that great descent and left my companion behind while passing a couple of others zooming along that last half mile to finish in 1 hour and 25 seconds which might sound crap but I was pretty pleased with considering about 250m climbing over 6.5 miles of interesting terrain, 83rd of 125 finishers.

I was buzzing from the run for the rest of Sunday – another reminder to myself that a decent trail race on a sunny day is what it’s all about 🙂