Already 3 weeks have passed since this year’s Coombe 8, a dual-distance event hosted by Sphinx Athletic Club and held at the beautiful, scenic Coombe Abbey Park in Coventry. (And you can bet I started writing this report within a week but then got waylaid…! If I say I’ve been busy running does that excuse me?!)
A pre-warning: If you’re hoping this report includes stats, technical jargon and utter running competency, you best stop reading now. I am – and always will be – a chatty runner over a competitive one!
Coombe Abbey Park holds a special place in my heart so, hot on the heels of completing the Big Bear Summer 10k event there on one very warm July evening, I thought nothing could be nicer than then the opportunity to run there again in the crisp, late autumn sun.
Well, that bubble was quickly burst. You know how people love to tell pregnant women their worst birth stories and then follow it up with a ‘but it’s all worth it in the end, of course’? Well, picture that but instead of harrowing labour stories I heard tales of thigh-deep freezing water, sliding down the muddiest banks, jarring bones on frozen solid ground… ‘but don’t worry, there’s hot chocolate at the end’. I started to wonder what on earth I had let myself in for!
Of course, none of that came to fruition. Coombe 8 ended up being a fun, inclusive and excellent event.
The weather was sunny and cold with a bit of breeze. With the two distance options – 8 miles or 8 kilometres – there was a wide range of runners taking part and it was wonderful to be part of a large group of Massey runners! As a relatively new runner still, being pulled into the fold of experience of other Masseys really helps calm my pre-race nerves. Many thanks in particular to Joy for her calm and supportive presence (and for taking photos!) and to Kevin for his advice about the final straight to the finish with it’s undulating terrain.
Given all the stories I’d been told and also given this was only my second cross-country race (the first being the day before!), I had every intention of taking my time and enjoying the scenery so I purposely started quite far back in the pack and *drumroll please* DIDN’T set off far too fast for once! (I’m learning!)
I was running on tired legs (a PB at parkrun and an appearance at the Warwick University XC Relays the day before had seen to that) but the scenery at Coombe really does keep you going. We began with a big loop of a field, incorporating a downhill bank, then towards the hotel, ‘jumping’ (aka gingerly stepping over) some low hurdles, and cutting left towards the lake and Go Ape. A smile and wave for the camera (thanks Emma) was soon upon me and then, in all honesty, I had no idea where I was for most of the remainder of the route! Down this path, up that one, cut off into the trees, back on to the path… I just followed the trainers in front. I spent most of the first lap dreading the water component but determined not to let it show when it finally emerged, and then I spent the second lap looking forward to going back through it! I am very aware that I am a sociable runner and the cheers, the encouragement, at the water was much needed.
A gel 30 minutes in made me suddenly feel like Wonder Woman. A chat with a lady wearing a triathlon t-shirt bucked me up no end. A shared laugh about our soaking wet feet with another runner made the next kilometres feel a little easier. A brilliantly bizarre exchange with a dog walker cheered me no end. I found cheerly calling out ‘Good morning!’ to members of the public enjoying a leisurely stroll encouraged some lovely interactions and, hopefully, helped to reduce anxiety for anyone concerned about being mown down. And the marshal who teased me about my Emotional Support Cup (I tend to run with my water cups for quite a distance until I find a bin) was another welcome interaction/distraction.
I loved how the mix of the two distances and the loops within the course meant I saw many of my fellow Massey runners. When I shout encouragement, I get a little burst of energy myself. Although I must remember not to get so distracted with cheering people on that I forget to look down to avoid rabbit holes… Twisted ankle averted. Phew!
The final up-and-back-down-again sprint down the tree line was not my favourite way to end a race but thanks to Kevin’s earlier advice and my little pre-race recce, I think I handled the uneven surface pretty well. Then, with the voice of coach Daniel ringing in my ears still from the Sutton Park relays, I found a little extra in the tank to ‘Catch her!’ and pipped a fellow runner to the post – just! It was an exciting end and she really stepped up to the challenge! Thank you, lady in purple.
Our hosts had provided a generous number of marshals and everyone I spoke with was so helpful and friendly. Thank you to everyone for making the event enjoyable and safe.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Coombe 8 and this, like the Two Castles 10k, will be firmly in my diary next year. And next year I’ll try to run on fresh legs!
Thanks to Emma Eastwood and Joy Woolass for allowing me to include their photos.
– Felicity Haines
