Stage 4 - 2007 RNR

Stage 4 - 2007 Round Norfolk Relay

From:	Wells	To:	Salthouse
Distance:	12.76miles	Duration:	1:57:51
Start:	11:09 Sat 15th	Finished:	12:49 Sat 15th

Driver's + Support Comments

Nice fresh coffee available at end of this stage.

Kerry Davis

Other Runner's Comments

Well what could I say but what a big gob I have as usual. The Round Norfolk Relay has always looked a great race with all of the time it takes to organise and the varied stages and distances and being part of a team for a change. Last year I offered my services to Reepham Runners who are a small club and sruggles to fill all the stages.

Unfortunatley someone didn't forget the offer and said something about 4. So I assumed a nice 4 mile stage. Wrong. It was stage 4, 12.76 miles from Wells to Salthouse. Yeh I can do that I've done a couple of halfs, what could be the problem? So then I start to find out a bit more and nearly talked myself out of it after having a struggled run at Honington.

My problems were, at least 1/2 was off road, it was hilly on the road section near the end, I have to carry a baton I don't run carrying anything and it could be hot and I might not be able to finish. So a a bit of PMA (positive mental attitude) was required, I got the Sportlink ladies out for a 12 miler, ran for a week carrying little dumbells, ran in long sleeve tops and roped a friend Mark into running the off road stage with me.

So we set off for Wells on a glorious day, got there and saw Rob who had an excellent run for stage 1. Went and met the team and there was a nice cool breeze. My Stage 3 runner had made up 5 minutes so we were off without getting my GPS working.

Ran through the quay which was great and got on the coastal path which seemed to go on forever.

Saw loads of grumpy walkers who we thanked for letting us by, not one giving any encouragement or even abuse. Got nearly to Morston and couldn't see the path so stopped dead in my track, knocked Mark over and kicked him in the nose....sorry Mark. We were glad to get to Morston as we took no water as it was going to be cool...wrong. The wind was on the land and the off road section was boiling.

It was a beautiful section though and it was a tough single path run with lots of cambers and pot holes. Met the road crew at Morston and left Mark for the bike. Great run the Blakeney then we hit the hills which seemed to go on forever and the meandering road seemed to go away from Salthouse which I could see for ages but didn't seem to get any closer. It was nearly over though as I entered Salthouse past the pub....with my lovely support team in the garden having a great time. Turned the last corner up to the shingle bank for the change over. All done in 1:51 which I was really pleased with as I thought it would be 2 hours....Reepham Runners had put me down for 1.45 though so I did lose them 6 mins, sorry guys. I went through the never again stage, but having finished and reflected it was agreat challenge and great to take part in . Thanks Reepham. The bit in the pub afterwards also helped.

Everyone who took part needs a bit well done with 850 runners and as many if not more support people the organisation is incredible. Only thing I would have changed is the road signs to say caution runners instead of caution traffic, so cars are more aware of what we were doing. People who we spoke to afterwards also said it would have been good if the EDP had a bit on the back page as its such a big event.