Mudguard Review- BBB Grand Protect XL 29er Rear Fender

Winter can be pretty harsh on your bike when you factor in a combination of the traditional British wet weather and living in a heavily forested area like Sherwood Forest. Therefore a degree of protection is in order for riding the mountain bike throughout winter.

For that reason I recently purchased a BBB Grand Protect XL rear mud guard for the 29er Mountain Bike. (BFD-14R). At around a tenner off eBay I decided to take a chance having only ever used one of the original Crud Guard rear fenders on an MTB years ago.

The BBB Grand Protect XL Rear Mudguard BFD-14R on the 29er

I particularly liked the idea of having something I could easily remove for when transporting the bike in the car. The Grand Protect features a quick release easy locking system which is supposedly suitable for seat posts 25.0- 34.9 mm in diameter so should suit the gross majority of bikes. I can also easily transfer it to my cyclocross bike for the occasions when I fancy some protection.

Above is my first attempt at mounting. From a first ride test after heavy rain I found that pretty much all the rear spray that I would be subjected to was removed from mid thigh upwards. The adjust ability of the BBB rear fender means that I should now be able to raise the height of the seat post clamp and angle the fender closer to the bridge between the seat stays for better coverage above the knee.

The Grand Protect is made from a lightweight composite material. The flap itself is relatively sturdy although the connection between clamp and flap is where I feel the mud guard is let down as there is some flex and visible movement whilst riding. It's not noticeable unless you look behind you however a more robust production would help to resolve this and by reducing the vibration sent through the connector I suspect would increase longevity.

After a first 20 mile test ride around the trails of Clumber Estate I was relatively pleased to have a dry behind and the product stayed in exactly the position I originally set it up. It was also barely noticeable whilst riding which bodes well for a winter of abuse.

So far it's doing it's job and for a tenner I cannot grumble too much. Lets see how it copes with a winter of riding as so far my only main issue has been with cyclocross-style dismounts I often clip the top of the mudguard with my leg. 

Rat Race Man V Lakes 2016 - OCR and Morecombe Bay

Last weekend Jemma took on Man V Lakes. A new event for 2016 by Rat race Adventure Sports

Gibralter Farm Campsite looking over Morecombe Bay for Man V Lakes 2016

This is the 1 st ever marathon and furthest I have ever run to date. This distance been on my mind for

some months. Having done my second Dirty Weekend and felt in rather good shape at the end gave

me a small boost that should be able to tackle it. After doing two trail blazer half marathons also did

some longer run training I started to feel a little positive. Till I started getting hip tightness in my

right hip this was effecting running and my strength training at CrossFit. This problem meant I had

to reduce the distances run and brought more stretching exercises in to remedy the problem.

Jemma at the start of Man V Lakes 2016 Rat Race event 

The Crossing Rat Race Review 2016 Whitehaven to Scarborough

The Crossing 2016 Whitehaven to Scarborough on Mountain Bike

Me and My Radon ZR Race 29er in Whitehaven for The Crossing Rat Race 2016

Before the leg break 2015 for me was supposed to be focused on doing some different things. The Crossing Rat Race event was supposed to be one of those things. 200 miles (or thereabouts) coast to coast on Mountain Bike across the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. It sounded pretty epic for a weekend riding my bike so had to be carried over to 2016.

I can see the appeal of a coast to coast adventure. Nottingham is pretty much the furthest of anywhere in the UK from the sea which is probably why we seem to flock their en masse. The sad scenario is we flock to the dive that is Skegness . The chance to dip our wheels in the sea at Whitehaven and then three muddy days later in Scarborough is pretty glamorous in comparison.

The Crossing Rat Race Review 2016 Whitehaven to Scarborough

The Crossing 2016 Whitehaven to Scarborough on Mountain Bike

Me and My Radon ZR Race 29er in Whitehaven for The Crossing Rat Race 2016

Before the leg break 2015 for me was supposed to be focused on doing some different things. The Crossing Rat Race event was supposed to be one of those things. 200 miles (or thereabouts) coast to coast on Mountain Bike across the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. It sounded pretty epic for a weekend riding my bike so had to be carried over to 2016.

I can see the appeal of a coast to coast adventure. Nottingham is pretty much the furthest of anywhere in the UK from the sea which is probably why we seem to flock their en masse. The sad scenario is we flock to the dive that is Skegness . The chance to dip our wheels in the sea at Whitehaven and then three muddy days later in Scarborough is pretty glamorous in comparison.

Jemma Tackles the Endurer Dash Sherwood Pines- A Review

Endurer events popped up advertising a new location right near home- so close an opportunity not to be missed at Sherwood Pines. By December last year had convinced a few girls from Crossfit Hexis to join me. Though it came to race day and ended up just being me at the start line. I am used to that and it meant I could just plough on ahead and see what this event company had to offer.

I had heard that the Endurer event company put cracking events up in the Peak District and should be by now a well-oiled event.  I turned up at the Endurer well early before I was due to run.  The plan was sign up go back to car put my Talons on and get self all ready but.I have not seen a queue so bad at an event before. I arrived around 9.45 and the 10:30 wave were not even signed on yet. This got me wondering if they can’t get registration right what’s the race going to be like?  By 10:15 I finally got to get my chip and bib number.  At First look my chip was a wrist strap that was far too big for me.  Though was later pointed out by Muddy Duck aka Alan that should put on my leg so now look like a runner who was let out of jail on tag.

The Queue to Register Really Gave a Very Bad Impression of Endurer Dash Event Management

At this point I saw Liam who was fresh from the muddy trails of Sherwood pines and already talking to some OCR regulars we know.  Once I got my x-talons on and other bits I needed and Liam got my keys for safety I felt a little better.  Though no key drop which would been nice for those who wasn’t in a group.  As the fear of losing your car key could easily happen.

12.12 Peak District- Time for Liam to Dig Deep

It's hard to believe that it's 8 months since I broke my leg. Having spent the last few months finally starting to build back to a relative level of fitness I still hadn't entered a race event until now. With the Rat Race Coast 2 Coast race just a month away it seemed that I needed a test in August to see where my fitness was at.

At the start line of the Dig Deep 12.12 event in my Muddy Race top

Aside from a few 5-10 km obstacle race within sensible driving time I stumbled across the details for the Dig Deep Peak District running weekend with a couple of Ultra's on the Saturday followed by a tough looking 12.12 mile trail race and 10km. The 12.12 miler had an advertised 632 metres of ascent across the length of the course which sounded like it would create a great challenge to see where I'm at with my training now. I know I'm not really at a race fitness level running wise but just being able to enjoy a long event was key for me despite my usual competitive nature.

Training has been building up now and whilst I hadn't yet gone beyond 10 miles in training I was confident I have the cardiovascular fitness from cycling to get the the finish line. It's been a stressful time since the break and in honesty I was relishing the chance to see what the North-Eastern edges of the Peak District had in store. It's an area I've seen very little of in the past but the course was billed as taking in some of the best trails the area had to offer and for £17 and a T Shirt it beat the obscene amount of money needed for a jolly around a muddy OCR somewhere.

The joy of being a member of the Team Muddy Race OCR community is that you'll often spot someone else in a top and instantly break down barriers as I discovered at the start line.

You never know when you'll see another member of Team Muddy Race at an event

Starting out from the interesting surroundings of Whirlow Hall Farm, a charitable trust on the outskirts of Sheffield which allows access to a great local network of trails that lead into the Peak District we had a briefing in the barn before heading out for the event. The organisers seemed to have put on a nice event village where they'd set up a stage in the barn, there was a bar, a few stalls and Outside outdoor goods shop had bought a selection of the running gear. The shop they'd set up was very professional befitting their place as a sponsor of the event. In comparison to the 2xu shop at the recent Runners World Trailblazer events look piss poor and certainly gave a very good impression of Outside.

Due to the nature of the event and changeable weather conditions mandatory kit included a compass, route map and a windproof jacket which had been downgraded from full waterproof body cover the week before the event. There were a few grumblings heard whether the jacket was really necessary but having been caught out in the Peak District in summer before I was confident that if anything did happen my trusty OMM Kamleika would do the job needed to get me back to base.

The race started pretty much on time from inside the farm and we headed North along a section of byways and footpaths with a few short road links until we turned west along the Porter Valley. The climb up the Porter Valley became a tough slog as I settled into a rhythm as we climbed over 200 metres in less than 4 kilometers before entering the Peak District.

First water staion came aside Lady Cannings Plantation, a favourite spot for local Mountaion Bikers where a trail has just been put in place to encourage their use in the area whilst controlling the areas of the woodland they have an effect on. Climbing up the sandy byway beside the plantation a few mountain bikers ambled past us having a good nosey at what was going on but fortunately as the section was nice and wide we were easy to pass without incident.

From there the course swung right along Houndkirk Road (Dirt road) before sweeping down to skirt the edge of Burbage Rocks. As we got to Fiddlers Elbow we turned South onto the rocky, rugged trail up to Higgar Tor. At this point it had become a case of jumping from rock, to rock, trying to find a suitable route forward as the relentless terrain was starting to take it's toll.

We dropped down from Higgar Tor along a network of paths and through the heather before what seemed like an almighty slog back up to Houndkirk Road. Sections of this became more of a fast power walk than a run as we fought the terrain and our body's requests to shut down on us. Fortunately we all knew that once at the top of this section we'd be on the home run. Back generally downhill to Sheffield for the final 5 kilometers via the Ling Valley at Ringinglow.

By this point I was starting to become a little weary of my ankle. It had stayed relatively strong but I was going past my usual comfort zone. I'd been struggling somewhat on the downhill sections and with the more rugged terrain as my confidence builds back up. Hills weren't an issue and I was often able to re-take people who'd flown past on the downhills. As this was more a test run than a race for me I held back, admiring the impressive views back to industrial Sheffield while generally enjoying the run.

At the finish of the Dig Deep 12.12 Peak District at Whirlow Hall Farm. 

I got back to Whirlow Hall Farm in 1:55:05 which was over 30 mins behind the winner but I was happy with where my body is now at. The distance had started to hurt but I'd initially hoped to get inside the 2 hour mark with a 10 min/ mile pace which I achieved with some time to spare.

All in the Dig Deep 12.12 race for 2015 was a nice event. Tough terrain (which I like) some nice scenery and a good test for my fitness without destroying me. Definitely something I'd come back to although I'm tempted for next years 30 mile Intro Ultra event.

Swag- Tech T shirt and a copy of Trail Running magazine.

Trailblazer Clumber Park Review

Nice to Run Close to Home Though Ruined by a "Paula Radcliffe" Moment

Clumber Park Trailblazer Event Review by Jemma

It's always nice to do events when they're local. Alongside Dash of the Titan you couldn't get any more local to us than Clumber Park. I can get there in 43 minutes on my mountain bike along National Cycling Route 6 so it's pretty close though I'm pretty sure Liam could do it in well under 30 minutes.

The guys at Rat Race know how to put on a quality event so I was really looking forward to running in the heart of Sherwood Forest. I've done the Clumber Park Run before but was really looking forward to seeing what trails Clumber had in store for us having not done much running there previously.

With a warm race day with temperatures due to get into the mid twenties and blazing sunshine I opted for my Under Armour shorties and a vest top as it was far too warm to wear my trusty my Muddy Race T-shirt.  Along with my trusted Inov8 Trailrocs which I knew I'd need for some grip in the woods and possible wet ground from the sharp showers that we had the previous night.

Having learnt lessons from the sun at Bedgebury previously  I sun creamed up to the max so wouldn't get sunburn as it was a warmer day than Bedgebury at the start of June.

After running a 2 hr 17 minute half marathon at Bedgebury I opted to start in the "2:20 group knowing that Clumber is pretty rolling so beating my previous half marathon best would be pretty tough. At least this time I had my Garmin on to track my times.

As the race got underway I eased into the first few miles. A short distance into the race I noticed a man in a red top who was literally sprinting a short distance and then slowing down to a walk which seemed like a weird way to run a half marathon. I caught up with him after the first water station and eased him to find a steady pace to stick to. It turned out he normally runs 5km events so was taking a big jump up in distance which he seemed somewhat unprepared for. He steadied off and used me as a pacer for a number of miles before tailing off. Hopefully he had a good race by the finish

I was ticking off the miles in the glorious Clumber Park sunshine using a female runner in a bright yellow Sheffield vest as a marker before things started to unravel for me around the 10 mile mark. The easiest way to explain things is that I had a "Paula Radcliffe Moment" and needed to dart off course into the privacy of forest cover. Due to needing to pee drastically I had started to experience pain and discomfort in my lower back and stomach which was really slowing me down

After that I carried on slowly to get to finish line with a 2 hour 23 Min's finish. I was gutted I didn't get the better finish than Bedgebury I was hoping but I'll be back next year in search of a better time.

If you fancy a go in 2016 have a look at http://rwtrailblazer.co.uk/

Runners World Trailblazer South Bedgebury Review from Jemma

Rat Race Bedgebury Pinetum Runner's World Trailblazer Half Marathon Review

This is my first half marathon and I was pretty nervous on the fact of doing a race without any water dips, cargo nets and ….................... MUD. With the previous outing at the Dirty Weekend at 20 miles and with prep runs over the half marathon distance I knew I could do the distance. It was a case of how long will it be till Liam saw me at the finish line. 

Nursing a sore rib injury from a self inflicted bike error 2 weeks previously I was just at a comfortable to run stage. The great thing about the guys at Rat Race is that they just don't set you all off at the same time. You are let out in minute intervals based on the estimated time you think will do the race in.  My best times for 10K races was the hour mark so for doing an half marathon a good reasonable guess was a 2 hour 30 min finish. By staggering the groups the hope was that we would be separated from
the Sunday walkers and barely joggers. For me this meant my only issues were getting the Nokia Mix Radio going on my phone and getting past a girl running with her hands flapping around like she was wading in the swimming pool doing doggie paddle. 

Our Adventure at the Rat Race Dirty Weekend 2015

Jemma and Liam hit the Rat Race Dirty Weekend 2015

The Rat Race season continues for us and this is the second race we have done. Jemma as eager as ever was keen to see just what the main Dirty Weekend event would be like and for Liam it was a case of joining up with the marshaling team for a free weekend.

Jemma at the Dirty Weekend. Ready to be a #ratracer

We also dragged good friend Mark along for the weekend too.

Mark generally looks like this all the time!

Dash of the Titan 2015 Review- Bramble Warrior

Jemma Takes on Dash of the Titan 2015 at Thoresby

A tough start- Jemma carrying a heavy tyre

New Month and  a nice local event which we've been keen to test out as last time it clashed with a Spartan race.  This race is so local it took less 15 mins to get to the location which is pretty rare for us and a definite bonus. 

I saw Dash of the Titan advertised as a lapped event of up to 15 miles and thought it would be perfect training ready for the upcoming Dirty Weekend, as I need to get my distance up.  I planned to do two laps at 10 miles and after the Deerstalker event I have been putting in lots of training so wanted to see where I am at.  

Initially it took us a while to find the entrance to the event just after the Thoresby Hall Spa on the left two banners were placed by gate posts but we didn't see any other signs beforehand. (good job I am local ).  After our initial faux pas of overshooting the turning like a number of cars behind us we made our way to the car park along a farmers track. Check in was easy and there seemed no issues for me and everyone pitched in to get everyone checked in and marker penned their number onto faces. 

Watch Jemma's event footage below from Youtube, 

The Oh So Mighty Deerstalker 2015 Review

Our season started on March 14th this year with a long anticipated (and just plain long) drive up to the Scottish Borders for Rat Race's Mighty Deerstalker at Traquair House, Innerleithen. The long-running epic nighttime adventure run with a few obstacle sized surprises.

It's a bloody long drive from Nottingham so the idea was to stop somewhere 2/3rds of the way for a break. I'll often have a look at the map for ideas before we travel and on this occasion we thought it would be good to finally see some of Hadrian's Wall so trundled our way up to the former Roman Army Fort at Vindolanda which worked out as about a 3 hour drive and a good time to stop.

Jemma at Vindolanda, the former Roman army fort

We toured around the ruins and remains of the fort which is an impeccably well maintained and attractive site as we made our way down to the coffee shop and museum at the far end of the site. The museum housed a particular exhibit that caught Spartan Jemma's eye- The spears. (Aroo!)

You can take the girl to a Rat Race but she'll always be a 'Spartan' at heart

After a nice warming hot chocolate and having had a nice, relaxing couple of hours break from driving  we headed back up to the car and on our way up to Innerleithen for the Mighty Deerstalker.

Is Jemma the Mighty Deerstalker?

Arriving with a couple of hours before Jemma's race gave us plenty of time to get ourselves registered with Liam spending the evening helping out as a marshal on light duties as part of his rehab from his broken leg and Jemma due out on the course for Wave 2 at 18:00 hrs as the light would be fading.

Part of the appeal of the event is that you don't just get a race, you get the chance to let your hair down afterwards with a party in the beer tent and on-site camping so you can stagger the few yards back and fall into a sleeping bag. Being March it had better be a toasty, warm sleeping bag though!.

Tent up and ready to race in the green of Team Muddy Race with Liam's Alpkit Gamma

Jemma's Review of the Mighty Deerstalker 2015

This is my 1st event which has been done by Rat Race and from the GoPro videos I've seen on You Tube  looked to be a good, well run event. The videos showed there were hills and the downhills would be steep. In training the hills I've been doing haven't been much of a problem but it's getting down the hills when they are steep that's the real issue as I lack confidence with my footing so the Deerstalker was going to be a challenge that took me out of my comfort zone. 

Deerstalking Kit 

Upon arrival I decided on my 3/4 length New Balance bottoms which are now dubbed the 'racing bottoms' after using them for many events last year. I like them because if I'm wading in water skin dries quicker than when wearing full length bottoms. I opted for a compression long sleeve top and my trusty Muddy Race green tee (cant miss me in that tee especially for the event photos) and as the motto says for deerstalker "do it in tweed"  thought better add a Scottish touch so found a tartan wrap to wear round my neck on eBay thanks to Sarah's Cycling Snoods.

My last contemplation on my kit was what shoes to wear. My inov8 Mudclaws or Inov8 X-Talons. Having my mudclaws would have had extra grip in the boggy mud but I decided on my X Talons for  their drainage and how light they are which thought would be most ideal for this race. Looking at the start line at what people were wearing I've never seen so much Mudclaws or X Talons in one place so I was in good company.

Getting to Traquair House

The race pack on how to get to the venue was spot on and we easily picked the signs where to park after taking a rather remote access route from Moffat. The walk from car to registration and camping is barely 10 Min's so handy with all your camping gear. There was no issue getting my race chip, Mighty Deerstalker tee and a silicon wave band which allowed me to race and we arrived just as the last of the 5 km racers event was drawing to a close so we could hear the DJ person welcoming the last of the 5km events finish so it was getting on towards a rather muddy run up in the Scottish Borders. Our tent was very close to where would finish so decided to leave my clean kit bag there although there were no lengthy queues for that dreaded bag drop which was another big plus.

On the Start Line

I managed to bag a place near the front and we was told to put head torches on as were having pictures and filming done of us with added smoke and flares. A quick warm up and we was ready to go.  1st obstacle was the Rat Race standard starter of mini hay bales and we headed off out of the house grounds.

I knew the 1st Km needed to be quick so wouldn't get bottle-necked at the scree.  My 1st challenge was the bogs which have been issues for me at previous events like last years Spartan Beast but with fresh legs quick footed over them although there was a brief disaster when my right foot slightly slipped out my X Talons and due to adjusting my shoe i lost some ground to quiet a few people who I was alongside. 

 It Wasn't long till got my feet wet for the 1st rime and had to a stream crossing.  After coming out and running on the gravel we had caught up to the queue getting up a massive grass/mud hill to enter the forest. At this point we bid farewell to the last bit of light and we really needed our head torches.

The zigzag of hills was relentless and by this point i was walking a fast stride due to the gradient and unable to jog let alone run. Taking my 1st gel I was questioning my fitness and this is when you think 'my god i needed another weeks training'. After my recent bout of serve head flu i really felt my fitness was being tested. Although masochistic, the planning of the hills to climb up was excellent to test you but before got to top of the final hill inside this first forest we had balance beams to contend with in the dark hard when barley see in front of you.  With legs tiring from the steepness of the hills. What made the group round us laugh was the ambulance flashing its blues and twos at the top of the hill to advertise their available service. Next year free gas and air please!. A guy behind me even asked his mate if it was it for him.

Though what happens when you go up you must come down and that was something I wasn't confidant on at all. I was tested at the Spartan Beast with some steep descents which I wasn’t keen on and as the saying goes I Spartan'ed up and started getting down watching my step using every tree possible. I Even used my tried and tested slide on my bottom technique and with help of a unknown guy (Thank you if you're reading this) I got to the bottom to be greeted with a bit of flat surface again.  Though this was short lived as again we entered the forest via another hill which was a lot more rocky and with a good steady amount of young pines which I used to help me up. Everyone was in single file until we got to the top and were sent back down again. 

The marshals was all fantastically positive who I bumped into and one such marshal pointed out the lights from the other side of hills. We could see perfect lines of light which was from head torches as runners climbed and descended. This was an amazing sight to see.  Though I was disorientated where I was I wondered had I come from there or going to those lights. As I started moving again with plenty of rocks and rolling bumps I got to the bottom to then be told to go across the path and was pointed to a turnstile. "There's water ahead" I heard as we started to run by a river bank.  

At this point I was in need of a cup of water. I had just had another energy gel so was ready and my mouth was starting to dry up from the sugar. Well when they say water ahead that was a Water crossing not WATER station that possibly could be the best blonde moment to date for me. After going in and out of a stream run on a mud track to be greeted again with another short crossing I finally saw that glorious water station and after taking another gel with two cups of water I set off again.  

I was then greeted with yet another water crossing and this one was being instructed to get to the right it’s the quickest way to getting out. An eternity later (750 ish yards I think) and with water up to waist height I got out of the stream.That was a challenge as there was a strong enough current to make it hard and dodging the stones was I thankful to get one not slipping into the water or bashing my shins on the rocks.  

We exited into what it seemed was a housing estate. Children held out their hands out for high fives and a woman with the biggest bowl of Haribo and jelly bean sweets imaginable to a runner. That was a great boost after the water situation.

Turning round corner I saw a guy in a Total Fitness high viz jacket looking a bit worse for wear. I asked if he was ok and he said he was suffering from cramp and hadn't had any gels so I offered my last one as after the amount of sweets I had just eaten I knew would keep me going well past the finish line and I knew could intake anything else sweet.  

Going past the second water station I was sent on the other side of the water bank to where we had two more river and under bridge crossing which resembled what we did earlier in the race so I knew was almost there. It wasnt long until I got to that bog again where almost lost my X Talon I groaned to myself knowing I had to be quick on my very tired feet to not sink into the fields. Thankfully I got through that pretty quick and got up a small slope to the road which had led us out at start of the race so I knew that I would be in the grounds of Traquair House shortly.  

The sound of music and been told your almost there lightened me as gave that last push under a cargo net and up a short slip ramp that I had no worries getting up in as done much bigger previously.But getting down there wasn’t a usualy step or cargo net to lower yourself and not wanting to jump as my legs was only starting to warm through after the last water crossing I started to panic. I have hurt my shins and ankles because of cold before but thankfully I was helped down and got to the end.

I was greeted by Liam I was so happy to see him and asked to cut my timing chip off. I told him I'd had what I felt to be a pretty shit race and that my time was way off. Liam had been working on the finish line and keeping a track on timings so  to be told I'd done the Deerstalker in around 2 hour 20 to 2 hour 30 Min's I was shocked.  

Later I was even more shocked when it was confirmed that I had done the race in 2 hours 15 Min's and was the 39th female to cross the finishing line which amazed me a lot and shows I clearly must be doing something right.

I'm glad I borrowed Liam's head torch for the event. His Alpkit Gamma gave me just the amount of light I needed. I would have certainly struggled with my much weaker version and now know I definitely need to make an investment although the £15 for another Gamma is pretty good really and they're a local company to us too.

Liam's Mighty Deerstalker- Working for Rat Race

When I broke my leg back in January I'd thought that I wouldn't even be able to make it up to the Mighty Deerstalker but 3 weeks out of plaster and rehab and I've been starting to get around much better. It even seems I can walk around properly at times and am now starting to get back into the gym and on the spin bike relatively without difficulty.

When the realisation set in that I should be able to head up to the Mighty Deerstalker with Jemma I decided to ping an email off to the people at Rat Race and see if they would like anyone to assist them at the event. I advised I'd only be able to do light duties but would love to be involved as I would be up at the event anyway so saw it as an opportunity to do something positive instead of loitering around the beer tent and getting fat on burgers.

Rat Race came back and offered me the opportunity to work for them at the finish line. I assumed this might be giving out water, snacks, medals or something along those lines which would at least give me a chance to share in some of the participants story and keep my enthusiasm high as part of my recovery.

In the end I offered to assist with the timing chips. With runners having to race with a timing chip on their shoe they're usually fastened together with zip ties so need someone to cut them off post-race. I was more than happy to do this as it would give me a chance to strike up a good rapport with some of the racers and get their feedback on the course, conditions and the age old OCR debate- Mudclaws versus X Talons.

Whilst the night was positive weather wise for the racers (cool but not freezing and no rain or snow) it was still a challenge for me stood down at the finish line. I'd put on my trusty old waterproof trousers over another pair of trousers up on top opted for a thermal long sleeve base layer, my much loved Redbull Steeplechase hoodie, my new best friend in the form of my Rab Strata Polartec Alpha insulated jacket and topped it off with an old Berghaus waterproof jacket and ski gloves so should have been warm enough for a cold night in the Scottish borders though as the evening wore on my core temperature lowered. Next year I'd recommend similar with a thick down jacket.

Whilst I was giving something back by marshaling the good people at Rat Race are very thankful of your time and will subsequently reward you for your efforts. This is usually in event credit for future events or in credit for their online store. I took the online store option and whilst recovering from the issues with my leg have the opportunity to refresh my wardrobe by helping out at some of the events I would be at with Jemma anyway. If you're interested in doing similar drop an email to staffing@ratrace.com  

There was a great atmosphere amongst the finish line team and before the first of the racers made their way to us we managed to get in a nice group photograph.

The finish line team at the Might Deerstalker, Traquair House, Innerleithen 2015

I really enjoyed working for Rat Race although in honesty after spending January and March house-bound it didn't feel like work at all. I should be next on the team for the Dirty Weekend and hope to have as much fun there too.

And on to the Beer Tent

One of the big draws of the Mighty Deerstalker to us was that for an additional £10 on top of your race entry (or for race spectators) you could let your hair down afterwards in the hated beer tent and camp afterwards. After our racing and marshaling it was great to have a sit down over a beer (or three) and reflect on our experiences. Jemma in the hills and Liam at the finish line.

Ending the Beerstalker with a nice pint of cider. Not sure who the elf is who's photobombing. 

Roll on 2016

We enjoyed the Deerstalker so much it's already pencilled in for 2016 in our calendar and Jemma's aim is to go under 2 hours so lets see what happens.

How did you find it? We'd love to hear from you.