In a week where my stress levels did spike, and fatigue kicked in due to lack of sleep, I was delighted it ended on such a high.

I think sometimes with running, we are often guilty of turning up, doing the race or training run, and then scampering off home, to most likely scroll through our Social Media feeds.

So the suggestion of lunch after the annual Weald Challenge was put out there to at least delay that inevitable Sunday afternoon crash. It did arrive, for me at least, falling asleep around 5pm whilst watching Despicable Me 4. What? It’s hilarious. But even the minions couldn’t keep me from napping.

Back to lunch. A week earlier 4 of us found ourselves in the new Vietnamese place in Hastings. However on this occasion it was an opportunity to return to the Six Bells in Chiddingly, where we had previously chatted post Kings Head Canter.

We had more to discuss on this occasion. As the Weald Challenge is certainly not a simple point to point 5k dash. It’s sold as a half marathon, but you actually run more than 22km. It’s hillier than Hastings Half, has way too many stiles, and the bumpy uneven ground adds to the demands put on the body.

What had originally been a handful of us heading to lunch, soon become the need to book tables, as everyone I asked said yes. It was so nice just to get together post race and chat about all kinds of stuff, not just running. With such a lovely group of people too.

The race itself was a splendid mixture of country lanes, expansive fields, single tracked woodland and even a beautiful waterfall on display in Newplace Farm.

Having shamelessly stayed in all Saturday, whilst sending poor Jax (and others) out to run in the pouring rain and strong wind, I was short on points. I would like to clear up, I wasn’t due to run Saturday, but head to the gym, but after some poor sleep the body wasn’t interested.

Come Sunday my increasingly large arse (I’ve been hitting the Booty Builder at Pure Gym) was feeling quite tight, in both cheeks, and I was a little nervous how things would pan out, but I needn’t have worried. My glutes are stronger now than ever before.

So on I went. Marathon effort the focus. I loved it. I felt like I had company for the most part, with a few runners just up ahead. I was moving well, strong up the hills, and it was only the stiles in the last few km that really got the better of me, but I finished well and pleased with the outcome.

It’s definitely a race I would do again.

As for the Team. Sam who has always been the cheerleader for this event, bagged a course PB, 1:39:21, claiming 8th place in the process. One ahead of Paul, who will always feel like part of the Team.

Conal, treating it as a training run rather than a race, like so many of us, sneaked in under the 2 hour mark in 1:59:56. I wasn’t too far behind, 2:03:26 my time. I’ll take that.

A special shout out to Sally (not on the Team) who bagged the FV60 age category in a fantastic time of 2:09:43.

The highlight of the day was definitely the epic sprint finish by Martin, leaving the crowd entertained as he extended his stride length, dug deep and held off the challenge from the eager Uckfield Runner, who hadn’t seen him coming, crossing the line in 2:26:34.

The two Lou’s ran together, both treating it as easy runs, coming home in 2:39:17. It’s quite nice to see different club vests running in unison.

Rebecca (3:02:27), Sue (3:08:32) and Jo (3:12:13) all looked strong as they came to the finish line, using this as a training run for their big goal later in the year, the Beachy Head Marathon.

It was quite cool to see Joe Wilkinson off the television. We had a little exchange pre race “How’s it going Joe?” I quizzed “good thank you” he replied in his bright orange running shirt, homage to the team no doubt. “Going for the win today?” I asked. “Of course” he replied in a deadpan manner, sniggering slightly as he walked off.

Two days earlier it was event number 2 of the Rye Summer Series. Windy as always, a challenging head wind greeted both those tackling the 5 and 10k distances. But it didn’t stop the team from delivering some excellent performances.

Shain came home in 3rd place with a time of 17:45. Cameron banked himself a new 5k PB of 19:45. Jamie, running the 10k, also ran a new personal best of 41:05. Imagine what they can do on a calm day?

Also a mention for Mitch, who bounced back admirably from his DNF in Mallorca a month ago, to complete the Cotswold Triathlon in 5:36:40.

As always if I’ve missed you, send me an angry DM to demand why.

Same time next week?