01/10/2022 – Race report for the Tweed Valley 20km trail race.
Last time I did this race was back in 2019 when there was a tunnel involved but all change this year. It was an EpicTrails Crew outing with lots of us heading down to Peebles to take on the event. The Tweed Valley race has lots of options with 5/10/20km during the day and a 10km night run later.
On the road trip down the rain was torrential. The hope was that it wasn’t going to be like that all race and it wasn’t. There was only minimal rain, mainly dry, wee bit of sun and quite a breeze on the hills.
The race is done as a time trial with everyone going out over approx 30mins. It means you never really know how you are doing so I always feel the pressure to go as fast as I can.
The race started off heading along the banks of the Tweed. Onto some country roads, through a field, back onto river banks and then the hill! The first of many climbs at about 8km in. The road went up and up then a wee right into the woods until we were on open ground. More ups, muddy trails, sheep and wind. My this point my legs were on fire and I felt like they had nothing more to give. I needed to start walking the ups simply to conserve energy. Eventually back onto forest trails, stunning views and downhills. But….for every down there seemed to be an up. The 10 and 20km merged together at a massive stile for approx eve last 4ish km. More trees and eventually I met my match, a big fallen tree to climb over, my little legs weren’t long enough so nice scratched up my quad. Last 1km was past some of the blue lights for the night run, more mud, some steps and final push over the finish line.
How’d I do? 1hr 57min. 4th female overall and 2nd over 40 female.
Now time to wait for the rest of the gang to come in whilst drinking tea, having cake and checking out the loomi life clothing. The merino tops looked so cosy so will be ordering one when I get home. Great. Goody bag with socks from Loomi Life, voucher from Run4It and t-shirt from Go Ape!
Everyone back in, smiles all round, warm clothes on and great day had by us all.
