Weavers Down Winter Warmer
Date: 3rd December 2006
Race Type: Adventure Race
Disciplines: Trail Running, Mountain Biking, Kayaking
Team: Keith Steve & Vicky
Location: Longmoor Barracks, Hampshire
www.trailplus.com
Our last race of the year, and what a race it turned out to be. For the first time we were racing as a mixed team so whilst Steve supplied roast chicken sandwiches for breakfast and I farted for all I was worth (last nights curry) Vicky was doing hair, makeup, and generally adding glamour to the team. The journey to Liphook was as bad as anything I can remember, at one point we were reduced to 30-mph on the motorway because of the wind (not mine) and rain. We parked in the middle of a muddy puddle (during the course of the race things didn't change much) and sat in the car waiting for the rain to ease, as if by magic 15 minutes before the start the sky cleared and the sun appeared.
The organizers decided to hold the race brief, start and transition in the middle of a small beach that was submerged under several inches of water! a novel approach and one I would encourage other race directors to adopt just for general amusement if nothing else. Because of the number of teams taking part the start was split into two waves starting 10 minutes apart, even allowing for the fact we were in the second wave we only just made the start (Vicky was still blow drying her hair)
At last we were off, a short run through the woods was enough to split the field up and no sooner had we settled into our stride than we were back into transition and on our bikes. What followed was the best hours entertainment I've ever had, bikes and bodies were everywhere. The cycling is always the strongest section for Steve and myself but cycling is not Vickys strong point however through sheer guts and determination she managed to complete the two laps without injury or incident and no smudged lippy, I on the other hand managed a full body immersion in one puddle and somersaulted down one of the steeper sections. Steve finished the biking having managed to stayed on two wheels for two full laps.
Back running and we came across the bloke (w****r) that told us to get in the sack, this time we had to strap planks of wood to our feet for the legendary Ski Plank Challenge. Left, right, left, right, fall over, get up, left, right, left, right, fall over, left, right, left, right, fall over, left, right, left, right, fall over and so on, you get the idea. The thing was we fell over a lot less than most teams and, not only laughed the whole way through the challenge, managed to make up even more places. Once again, we were on the run and we knew the end was in sight. As we passed two more teams we were into the final sandy hill, with only the cargo net, a puddle and the slippery A frame between us and certain victory. It was at this point, halfway through the cargo net, that Steve decided to roll on to his back and go to sleep. After what seemed like an hour under the net, we emerged into the final puddle. We had a plan for the A frame: Vicky up first climbing on Steve; me up second climbing on Steve again; then Vicky and me would pull Steve over, hopefully throwing him down the other side and landing on his head. No sooner was Vicky on top of the frame than she was over the other side (so much for team work). Steve managed a fantastic final leap and didn't land on his head (next time maybe) and we crossed the finish line. Hugs, handshakes and kisses all round for a fantastic achievement and a great day out. Before closing I must mention Vickys old man Darren official weeatmud.com photographer for the day (fat w****r).
Mixed Category 6 out of 59
Overall Category 47 out of 199
Keith Johnson
Official Team Trumpeter (Paarp!)
