Rail to Trail: Trailscape Ashurst 10k

I never knew the combination of mud, hills and strong winds could be so mentally tiring! Last Saturday (10th Jan), I took part in my first ever proper trail race, the Trailscape Ashurst (Kent) 10k. 
These guys have organised the Rail to Trail series, enabling Londoners to get out into the country to experience some muddy trail running. All the routes have started in locations easily accessible by train, in a north/south/east/west direction from the City, with 10k, half marathon and full marathon options available.  
Street food van available for post-race refuelling
The Ashurst race was South, and a 30minute train journey from East Croydon, so I had no excuse not to go along!
Registration was in the village hall, with toilets and a bag drop, and although there were queues (one train an hour means everyone arrives at the same time!) everything was dealt with efficiently. Race start times were staggered depending on distance which meant those running the 10k didn't set off until 11:30- a nice late start time compared to most races!

The course was beautiful but after the wet weather during the few days prior, it was so muddy! At times I felt like I was wading rather than running, and on the downhills I just slipped and slid!

Having to concentrate so hard on where I was putting my feet was pretty exhausting, and definitely required your full attention- no listening to music here! We had to negotiate stiles and a fallen tree too, which added to the "adventure feel" of the experience. It was definitely one of the most challenging races I've done- although it reminded me a bit of the 10miler I did with my brother last year! 
This course was significantly more hilly though! I will admit I did a lot of walking, saving my legs for the flat and downhill sections. It gave me a better opportunity to enjoy the views too! 
It was a really nice reminder that travelling just a short way out of London provides you with such beautiful open countryside. I'm definitely going to try and take more day trips on the train for cycling or running or just plain exploring this year! 

The 10k course was a loop repeating the last final section back to the start/finish line, and the promise of water, tea and cake! It took me a lot longer than a flat regular 10k would and I had to dig deep to keep running at points, but I really enjoyed the challenge of a tough race with a more varied terrain. Battling the elements of mud, wind, rain, and hills required a mental fortitude which I'm hoping will help me in completing Brighton Half Marathon too!

And rewarding myself with a homemade date and apple oat slice afterwards was pretty awesome! Retrieving my bag was easy, and I was given a print out of my time. Timing was done with a wrist chip which had to be "tapped in" at checkpoints along the way (only 1 for the 10k at approx. 6k) and at the finish.

I can definitely recommend the Rail to Trail series if you're looking for something a bit different- trail running is a new challenge, but the race was totally accessible to newbies (like me!) and really enjoyable. I'd be signing up to the last one in the series (Wendover, Bucks on 21st Feb) if it wasn't the day before Brighton!

Do you love trail running? What's your favourite post-race cake?! πŸ™‚

Beki x

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9 comments

  • Dash says:

    I don't think I'll ever set the world alight with my trail running times but I really do enjoy it. I love the variety in terrain and the unexpected challenges (HOW am I going to get across this swamp that used to be a field?).

    Oooh and most importantly the cake question - I do love a flapjack! πŸ™‚

  • Laura Dryden says:

    Sounds like you had a tough run but a good one. The cake at the end makes it worth it right?! It looks delicious!

    I'm definitely NOT a trail girl.. I hate getting dirty when I'm out running, I hate squidgy shoes and don't like the rain so it's definitely not something I'll be trying anytime soon! xD

    Laura | laurafat2fit.blogspot.co.uk

  • Maria says:

    Well done! I love trail running too- my local parkrun is really a cross country run, and it's fab, so much fun! I love the sound of this series too- I shall have to look out for the Wendover one next year as I am not a fan of travelling into London for races, but I don't mind travelling elsewhere.
    In the autumn I did a 10 mile muddy run and after for Β£1 you could have tea and a cake- I had a slice of teabread, and a fruity tea- I think the dried fruit was perfect for refuelling and felt more substantial than some cakes.

  • Lauren (@poweredbypb) says:

    Well done! I really like this series, I did the first "half" marathon one which was actually 16 miles, it wasn't too muddy but a lot was through farmers fields and my trail shoes kept clogging up with mud and then all this grass so they weighed a tonne for the last few miles! Unfortunately I couldn't make any of the dates of the other events, which is a shame because they all sound great.

  • Beki Cadd says:

    Yeah it definitely keeps things interesting when you don't know what's coming! Good shout with the flapjack- a favourite of mine too πŸ™‚

  • Beki Cadd says:

    Haha I always used to be a fair weather runner too! Cake makes everything worth it though πŸ™‚

  • Beki Cadd says:

    Mmm fruitcake is great! I hope they hold the Rail to Trail series again this year- I think it's a really great idea πŸ™‚

  • Beki Cadd says:

    Yes I saw that the distances were approximate! I definitely think I came back with half the course on my shoes πŸ™‚

  • Stephanie The Magpie says:

    That date slice looks incredible. And all the MUD MUD MUD woop!

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