Rauceby Ripper 2026

 This would be my tenth Ripper. This year would be different as I'd only had that three months or so of running last year after 10 months off, and again, had been solely bike training over winter so had not run really since October.  I had done a parkrun on Xmas Day cold, and had just done a few 4-12 minute treadmill runs at low intensity ( I have found that casting you tube run influencers is an ace 'Rouvy'
style experience for runners).

I lined up with the usual suspects, being Ian, Scrappy & Lauren on a really saturated Ripper course, Way back in 2013 at my first Ripper it had been a similar mud fest but hadn't hit those heights for the other 8.  This one came at the end of 36 days of continual rain, and there were parts of the course that were under water.

My plan was to start at a relaxed but pressing pace and see how long I could go for. Having managed three miles on Xmas Day I thought I'd at least be able to match that and then fall into a run walk strategy to get done. As it transpired, I soon settled into a good pace that didn't feel like it was stressing me, and then the miles seemed to tick over nicely, and to my surprise, got to 3,4,5 then 6 without any walking. I took the climbs steadily and watched my footing carefully. I could defenately feel it in my legs from that 6th mile onwards, and tried to just catch myself and ease off just a touch as the exertion late on was above where I would like it.. (i have a five hour ride in the morning).

The wettest part of the course was the woods as usual, and whilst I'd skilfully avoided wet feet for most of the course, there was no way I could avoid the lake at the exit from the woods, but that wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be , and navigated it OK.

I kept position until the last downhill and lost a place, but made the line in 64th, and without walking in the 8.99 miles. That was that - long course 8.99 miles, average pace 9:13 minute miles, 64/204. 

A welcome return to running and first medal of the year !