Endurancelife South Devon 10k, 2022

This was my first proper (paid-up entry, number on shirt) race since last July, after which my ongoing grumbly Achilles / Haglunds Deformity nonsense flared into full-on bursitis and a total running reboot. Over the autumn I had carefully, gingerly started upping the distances and the pace, but keeping hills to a minimum.

So here we were, just outside the village of Beesands in South Devon, preparing to run the 10k version of the Endurancelife coastal trail series. I was originally down to do the half marathon (as I’d done in 2019), but in the spirit of one-thing-at-a-time and let’s-be-terribly-sensible, we were both doing the 10k (actually 11k) option.

Rather tight parking at Torcross...

...and a hilly walk to Beesands

At the start line, preparing to remove layers

I found myself in second place after a couple of minutes, with the guy in front edging away. This was handy, as the signs are plentiful, but quite small. The weather was cool, bright and breezy, and the views were wonderful. There was a technical rocky track section just past Start Point, and then a long draggy heading north again. At the top there was a small carpark where our numbers were scanned.

Looking towards Start Point

This is where it went wrong. The lead bloke was out of view, but I could see runners streaming past from left to right ahead of me, so I joined them. But then I realised I was heading back to the lighthouse. Was this right? I had assumed that the other runners were doing a different distance. No, we’re doing the 10k, they assured me. I ploughed on. A few minutes later I was consumed with doubt, and it dawned on me that I had circled round and caught up with the tail enders of my race.

The self-inflicted double loop

 

Maybe it wasn’t the best decision, but I just ploughed on. The tricky rocky coastal section was far more hazardous as I tried to overtake slower runners. As we headed inland I overtook the lovely Mrs S, who was a bit bemused by my idiocy.

I had added about 2.6km by going around this loop twice. Back at the scanning point the marshals said ‘oh it’s you’, and ‘I tried to call after you’. Onwards, now back where I should have been I ploughed on, my heel feeling a bit tight but otherwise strong enough. It’s amazing how getting lost fires the adrenaline.

I made it over the finish line in 1:07:30, having run a total of 13.6km. I was 33^rd finisher. A lovely run on a stunning course, and a proper race… I’m really not complaining at all. I loved it, despite the frustration, and, 24 hours later, a rather unhappy tendon. Mrs S had an absolute ball too. We’ll be back!

Mrs S powers to the finish line