CERI:
Another excellent weekend training, this time in North Devon using the panoramic views of the North Devon Coast taking in many miles of the coastal path and beaches. Tom, Ceri, Alex and Stu were very kindly accommodated by Leigh and Vicky Skelton at their home in Barnstaple which was used as the base for this weekend.
The team arrived at the Skelton's home at midday on Saturday where we prepared for a five hour run. Vicky Skelton who is an ultra distance runner for Great Britain and has competed and won internationally was ready to put the team through their paces. We drove to Broughton Burrows and set off across sand dunes on to the North Devon Coastal path, after several ascents and descents along the path we ran a good mile stretch on the sands before climbing again, this time up to Baggy Point. Stu turned back at this point as he is still building up his time on feet after a lengthy injury. With fantastic views and the sun shining but a constant chilly wind to contend with the team at this point were feeling good and strong. A couple of more miles on the coastal path Vicky and the team then turned inland to start the return trip back to the car. After one minor back track due to a path change on the ground compared to the map the team made good time over some hilly terrain through farm and open land and over a few streams and boggy fields arrived back on the the coastal path. After four and a half hours the car was less than a couple of kilometres away and to ensure we made use of the sunlight Vicky took the team to finish off with a little bit of dune work before returning back to the car. On checking watches and GPS we had covered 23 miles in 4 hrs 48 mins, a really good days training. Vicky drove back to Barnstaple and their comfortable home where all stretched and re-hydrated. Leigh was the chef of the day and looked after all with an excellent chilli-con carne and then checked and discussed the days training and planned for the three hour outing we had set ourselves for Sunday.
After a very comfortable nights kip Leigh raised the team and set everyone up with an eggs, bacon and toast breakfast which all enjoyed getting everyone ready for the training ahead. Running from the house this time, the first half mile was a steady climb which warmed all up and shook the legs out after the previous days training. No one was feeling any ill effects from Saturday so all was looking good. A slight detour to where the Skelton's kept their horses to let the horses from their stables into the fields Vicky then led the team out into the countryside. This was going to be a hilly day although not as quick as yesterday but just as much effort required. So, good hill work at a good steady pace was the aim of the day, the team set down to enjoy again a bright but chilly morning on their feet covering some good ground work in their training. The hills started to take their toll but all cracked on with good banter all the way round. As the team didn't quite make five hours on the Saturday Vicky ensured there was not going to be a repeat of the shortfall so as the three hour point crept up a few loops were added, albeit the team would not have been any the wiser on their whereabouts. Vicky brought the team back home at three hours twelve minutes having covered a good 15 miles. Again an excellent days training. After some good stretching a well deserved cup of tea and some nibbles all the team members were ready for a good rest. Overall an excellent training weekend covering on foot almost 40 miles (60-65Kms) perfect, and setting the team on track for the coming big event which is only just over 150 days away. A steady drive back to Exeter and ready for some rest.
A big thank you to both Leigh and Vicky Skelton and their family for looking after us so well and putting such a good training weekend together, and not forgetting Bo the dog who was there to greet us all on our returns, Thank You.
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