Running through scenery, sheep and gusts

Few road races offer so much distraction from the pain and effort of running seven miles on road as the Tavy 7.

The race is one of the most popular and oldest in the area, always full at 300 places, and I could see why, once I’d finished, having survived the lung-busting, and calf-burning testing course.

I started the race in a field on Plasterdown surrounded by excited runners from many clubs in Devon and Cornwall. The field was surprisingly firm, considering the previous two-day storm. Having avoided tripping over the bumpy turf or colliding with the crowded competitors, we ran onto a road and stayed on tarmac all the way.

Having got very cold in the strong wind, I soon warmed up with the early effort of being a natural slow starter. I prefer off-road running, but the Tavy 7 is the next best thing - a road race crossing lower Dartmoor with all the scenery and moorland experiences to savour.

Once I’d got into the rhythm of running and was able to breathe fairly evenly I was able to take in the dramatic Pew Tor, hills rocky outcrops and safely run around oblivious ponies and stare back at the fascinated sheep.

I then ran through the sheltered tiny hamlet of Sampford Spiney and up a steep hill and along windy roads, avoiding collision with speeding cars.

Then came another, even steeper hill which involved a mini-battle with another runner, which I won. But I worried perhaps I’d overdone that, because although there was only two flat miles to go, it was into a gale which gusted so hard it even blew me off course.

I comforted myself that everyone else was suffering and pushed on. I even overtook a few before finishing exhausted, to a warm welcome at the long-awaited finishing line. Overall, a well-organised, rewarding race by Tavistock Athletic.