Men's Health Challenge 2014

This was my 3rd year running this event, and with all the other events this year I was looking to smash a new PB for the event. 12km with loads of obstacles, water and mud. The first year I finished with s time of 1 hour 29 minutes 30 seconds, last year I finished in 1 hour 24 minutes. Looking back at the previous blog I also set myself a challenge for a sub 1 hour 15 minute this year - Men's Health 2013

When I arrived on site I could see a couple of familiar faces waiting anxiously to see their partners return from an earlier wave of the race. Unfortunately I didn't see them finish as my wave started before they returned.

Rob almost finished after climbing over the inverted wall, next stop the "Wall of Fame"

Rob and Tom almost at the finish line.

Rob, Tom and Simon all recorded really good times as it was either their first event, of injuries stopped their training being 1005%. I think they're all signing up again next year as they enjoyed it so much, even if the photos dot show it. Trust me while you're running it horrible, once you've finished and have the medal around your neck it's a brilliant feeling,

I got off to a quickish start in my wave, helped by getting really close to the start line. I soon settled into a nice pace between my 10k pb and half marathon pace. Before I knew it I was out at the 5/6km point and it felt like I had only just started running. However with the course for Nottingham 70% of the obstacles are on the return leg so I knew it was only going to get harder.

As each obstacle went I realised I hadn't seen many white wrist bands for a while which was for the wave I was in. As I approached the climbing wall I heard a voice "carry on mate you're setting a great pace for me here." It was another white wrist band who was following in my shadows, a nice little confidence boost as I hadn't been a pace runner for somebody before. As we waited patiently for our climb a girl who was almost at the top lost he footing and fell a good few metres but luckily her friends cushioned the blow and she didn't fulling hit the turf. She got back on the wall and tried again and had every single person there cheering her on, it was great to see every person willing everybody else on during the event.

Another few obstacle stations came and went and the home leg was in sight, Trent End came into view which means about 3km left. After the little trip up and down the stairs it was a run along the embankment to the last couple of exercises then job done!!

I could see just in front another white wrist band, only the 2nd I had seen for the last 30 minutes. I soon caught him up and we ran almost neck and neck to the finish line. I honestly can't remember who beat who in the end.

All I know is boom another PB and beat last years target time!!! I finished in 1 hour 13 minutes 15 seconds.

Wall of Fame - it doesn't get any easier each year.

Bath Time!!!

 I fancy a change next year so I'm thinking of being daft and entering the Elite 21km race they have started. It looks incredibly tough but something worth training for.

Bring on the "Elite" next year.

That's now 12 races down, 0 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014...... apart from a Santa Dash.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k - 7 hours 48 minutes 35 seconds.
Wild Warrior 10k - 1 hour 18 minutes 42 seconds.
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k - 1 hour 49 minutes and 31 seconds.
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k - 1 hour 13 minutes 15 seconds.

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt