"From the Shropshire Fells to the North Downs Trails"
4th-5th February 2012

Event Report by Emily Millington


So there I was, enjoying my first year of running, being swept up into the local Fell Running scene and enjoying every minute of it. Last years "biggy" was The Longmynd Hike (50 miles in a day) which I ran with my pal Jim... our first ultra. We surprised ourselves and did really well!

So one lazy afternoon, I was googling and what did I find? Extreme Energy. "Hmmm.... how about this Pilgrims Challenge thingy then Jim? Looks ace!". That was it, we were not going to miss it. Changing shifts, sorting childcare, training on the hills and counting down the days... and what a fantastic build up XNRG provided!

After kissing my 4 year old boy goodbye we headed south to Farnham on the eve of the Challenge and stayed in a Travelodge. Carbo loading comprised of a few beers and a big fat pizza. Well we didn't know if the Challenge was within our capabilities, so needed to relax a little!

We rose before sunrise and arrived at the venue, a field which was iced with frost and coloured with subdued flags (I think they may have actually been frozen rigid!). We made for the tent and WOW! So warm... bustling with athletes, hot drinks, gels, bars, buffs and smiles.

I started at 9am with no idea of how to pace myself for a two day event. I soon warmed up and happily chatted to people, so many people had done so many impressive races, I soon realised I was amid a host of well 'ard endurance athletes.

I loved Box Hill, both the ascent and the sandy beachy descent, maybe that was the Fell runner in me. The sun was shining and the views were truly breathtaking and I decided to push on and see what I could really do. If I pushed too hard and had to crawl Day 2 then it would be a lesson learned!

The competitors were so friendly, I was given a gel by one of the elite 10am starters when he found me having a "Bonk" in the woods ;-)

Checkpoints were fantastic, especially for the likes of myself who crave savoury as well as sweet during long runs. The CP's were also intelligently placed with the mileage between them decreasing as the end drew close, I got stronger and faster and crossed the line in 5:38.

Plodding into the school hall, the first thing that appealed to me was two rather fit looking guys giving massages... yes please! The digs were great, a constant flow of hot drinks, a lovely meal, a
buzzing atmosphere and an inspirational talk in the evening.

Day 2... well we all knew it was coming and I must have been one of very few who WANTED snow! I love snow!! We got snow alright and I was so relieved the event was to continue with a few tweaks by Neil reference checkpoints and starting times. I gave my spare leg warmers to a fellow
bare ankled lady runner, who I ran with toward the end and she definitely
pushed me on at the end!

Day 2 was so very tough but absolutely amazing... it was like Narnia, everything was so quiet, muffled by the snow. My core muscles had a true work out ducking and diving under the heavily laden branches.

Again, the CP's were a godsend... vivid bursts of colour in a totally white world. Friendly faces and loads of scrummy food.

I pushed myself really hard throughout Day 2, trying to run it all and finishing with a time of 6:18. Back into that lovely warm tent to hot tea, homemade cake and the Second Lady Medal! I was over the moon, only my second medal to date.

The event was a fantastic experience and I would not have changed a thing (well, maybe run a little faster and win it!). The snow just made it extra special. Neil, Anna and team obviously have a lot of
experience and know just how to treat their competitors and if work and motherhood allowed it, I would enter every event.

Thank you to Extreme Energy, to Jim and to everyone involved in the weekend in any way, shape or
form for giving me such an EPIC experience that I will never forget!