The inaugural mAd mAxe weekend was a great success. There weren't many of us (seven adults and half a dozen children joining in some of the events) but that just added to the friendly atmosphere.
We were all supposed to meet on Friday evening but the weather put some people off camping that night so only four of us experienced the very pleasant jog around the Seaton Heritage Trail. We enjoyed the views (where they weren't obscured by clouds or maize) and not-so-enjoyed the nettles, the stings from which are apparently good for arthritis. ("But I haven't got arthritis." "See, they're working!") With the added distance from Axmouth campsite into Seaton and back that was six miles, including half a mile of beach.
Richard went home to return with the family in the morning and the rest of us adjourned to The Harbour for a spot of refreshment. Dave wimped out of camping (the thought of his own bed only a mile away was just too tempting) so Colin and I were the only ones under canvas that night.
Saturday morning dawned not as bright and sunny as we'd hoped but all outstanding persons arrived in time for the next event, The Hole-Axe Challenge. Down to Seaton Hole and away we go. The tide was very low and there was good sand most of the way. The record tumbled to 7:51 before we ran back up the river and ticked off another four miles.
The main event of the day was The Colywobble following Dave's most excellent route description and map ... once we'd figured out that the northern part of the route was drawn below the southern part! We drove up to the source of the Coly (a disappointingly dry but nonetheless impressive hole in the ground) where Phil and Alan joined us. And a very pleasant time was had by all along the nine miles to the Gerrard Arms in Colyton. Apart, that is, from one nasty wasp sting and Alan's soles parting company from his shoes until repressed with some creative lacing.
A somewhat diminished group left the pub feeling suitably refreshed for the remaining four miles down to the sea. The blackberries on the Axmouth road were very nice but the chips in Seaton were even better. Another 13 miles down. The Bedford contingent spent the afternoon in Lyme and I went home to deal with a load of Grizzly entries.
The early evening's exercise was an experiment in the thrill of the chase, a pursuit race which worked very well, followed by a couple of games of tag! Another mile or so in the legs ... and did they feel it!
I headed home for a quick shower, theoretically before heading over to Colyton to meet the others for the carnival procession but the shower became a bath (I just couldn't resist it!) and supper became rather too leisurely so I ended up getting to the campsite with the children just before the others returned.
Sunday morning dawned with a thick mist. The first event was a bleep test shuttle run but, with the prospect of a half marathon looming just over an hour away, I don't think anyone liked to push themselves too much! I had had mixed feelings about finishing such a weekend as this with a road race but it actually provided quite a contrast to the other events as well as a challenge to race well after the previous day-and-a-half's endeavours.
The mist had lifted and it was a glorious day. I actually had a relatively enjoyable run for a road race (!) as there was no pressure to repeat my fourth place of last year so I chatted to other runners on the first big lap. The second lap was hard work but I did manage to pull one place back at the top of Court Lane (although I nearly lost it at the finish to the leading lady who was finishing very strongly) and was pleased to break 1:23 in ninth place.
The other mAd mAxers seemed to enjoy the race (including most of the children in the mile fun run) and piled onto the beach afterwards. Not a bad end to a weekend's running.