WGP MABAC

[jerry]

Did everyone enjoy that? I ended up having to push the pram up through valley gardens afterwards.... now that did hurt the legs.

[markl]

can I re-phrase your question slightly ? I think it should read...did ANYONE enjoy that ?? That final stretch along Smiths lawn into the wind was pure purgatory.

[stephenb]

Well, I didn't enjoy the Smiths lawn bit which somehow managed to be uphill both ways and with a gale force headwind on the way back! I found the whole course was more hilly than I'd expected which caused me to ditch my original plan at about 3 miles :-). I think that maybe that course is more of a test than the Hogsback since
the hills are more "stoppy and starty."

I can't be too unhappy though after knocking somewhere around 8 or 9 minutes off my Hogsback time.

[grumpyoldrunner]

I was considering the similarity of WGP Mabac to Hogsback course myself. On the face of it the Hogsback course is slightly longer so aught to have a slower time, but the Mabac has three distinct uphills - Breakheart hill, Pink House Hill and Middle Hill (to be honest, all the way to the top of Middle Hill seems to be mostly uphill) compared to one long hill on the Hogsback.
I guess the Hogsback hill lasts the best part of 2 miles and I would be surprised if the 3 Mabac hills add up to more than 1.5 miles. The overall height gain is very similar; by my reckoning the three Mabac hills add up to 85m gain and the Hogsback is about 95m, which means that the Mabac hills must be slightly steeper as they are over a shorter distance.
Overall the courses should produce similar times, with the Hogsback taking about 3% longer due to the extra distance, it just depends whether you prefer three short, sharp ones or one long one - hills, I mean.

So Stephen, if you knocked 8 or 9 minutes off your Hogsback time on Sunday I would definitely say that you have improved - well done.

[lstephens]

I love the windsor mabac as it gives us the chance to run competitively against other clubs in our stomping ground, I think this adds a bit of confidence - doesn't make me run quicker but I do enjoy it more.

That wind across Smiths lawn was legendary wasn't it, I got beaten by 2 Dorking women because of that and I couldn't get them back but I did manage to get Paul Goldsmith 50 yards from finish so I came off Smiths lawn ok, pity I wasn't closer to anyone who could have acted as a windbreaker.

There always seems to be more runners at that Mabac compared to others, I suppose it may be more local to some or just that people don't like cross country, I don't know but I had a great time.

Lynn ;D

[skydivingdude]

Yes, have to say I enjoyed that ! Nice course. Im still getting used to these hills. They took a bit out of me but the scenary in that park keeps you going. Im looking forward to the summer in the park.

Nice course and well marked and marshalled overall. A complete pleasure.

[helle]

Did not have time to look at the scenery - was far too busy, first to try to catch up Mark L and then to race him all the way down Breakheart. Might have a look at the scenery next year.