Lisa - Fat Girl Fit

Guest post – Gran Fondo New York

I am currently in the US and last Sunday my husband took part in the Gran Fondo New York bike race. This is a 100 mile cycle race from New York out to Bear Mountain and back and is a tough ride as I found out when we took a drive up to Bear Mountain and saw first hand the climbs they were faced – eek!

When we ventured into Manhattan to pick up his race pack from the expo I will admit I was pretty jealous that i didn’t have my bike with me and wouldn’t be taking part and vowed to do the ride next year. That was until we drove the hills (mountains) and now I am not so sure – would I be able to do it? Could I try? Should I?

People come from all over the world to complete the Gran Fondo and as the cyclists come over the finish line they announce everyone and the countries they are from and these included Australia, Great Britain, USA, China, Brazil and Colombia to name a few. The faces over the finish line ranged from ecstatic smiles to broken faces! My husband’s name is Brett Thake and as he came over the line it was announced Brent Turk from Great Britain – was very funny as no one ever gets his name right. In Starbucks this goes from the usual Brad all the way to Martin!

Anyway he was all smiles and I was very proud indeed!

My husband completed a write up and I thought I would share as a blog post so here goes, enjoy!

Gran Fondo New York – race report

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So I took part in the Gran Fondo New York cycling race. This was the most amazing event I have ever taken part in and the organisation and help from the New York and New Jersey Police department was unreal. They really put the UK events to shame. Other great part was that every rider has to wear the same Gran Fondo New York Jersey, this really made you feel part of a team.

It started on the lower level of the George Washington Bridge (if you didn’t know GW Bridge has 2 levels) with all cyclist having to be on the bridge no later than 06:15. Me being me was on there at 05:30 just in time for the sunrise which was crazy to watch.

7am the race starts and we are off. It’s a fast ride to start with a lot of people getting carried away, me being one of them, but I did put myself in check to settle in. The event has a number of climbs and the total climbing stands at 8000 feet. This was a very daunting feeling to know I had to do it.

Before I go into all 6 of the main climbs there was a number of others that for some reason they didn’t think were worth mentioning, some of them were extremely hard.

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The first climb was Alpine Hill, 1 mile in length and 390 feet high, average gradient of 7.4% and max of 9%. As this was 11 miles in it didn’t feel too bad, as the old legs were fresh. The decent was quick.

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The Course video states that from mile 12 – 38 is flat, this is not the case, they lied, but it wasn’t a showstopper.

Getting to Bear Mountain, yes MOUNTAIN, was quick as I was in a peloton of roughly 150 riders. This was the most exciting part of the ride and the closest I have ever come to a pro ride. These cyclists were something else. We really were moving and at he bottom of this climb at mile 41 I had averaged 20 mph.

Bear Mountain – this is the toughest climb on the course, not for the gradient, although that wasn’t pleasant, but for the length of the climb. This climb was 4 miles long with 1,000 feet of elevation, average gradient of 5.1% and max of 10%. I’m sure there was a 20% on there somewhere. The climb was tough and not as slow as I thought it was going to be. I completed the climb in in 25 minutes and at the top of Bear Mountain had a race time of 2:28 and average speed of 18 mph, which I was very happy with. The decent made the climb worth doing. The fast speed twist and turns put a massive smile on my face.

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Now for the next 18 miles it seemed like I was going up hill all the way. This made 18 miles of the Kentish Killer feel easy. I really didn’t enjoy this part of the ride. These included 2 climbs that were very tough. Remember my legs are now getting tired. The climbs are:
Andrea Pinarello, 2 miles in length, 525 feet elevation, average gradient 4.9% with max of 12%.

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Cheesecote – 1 mile in length, 262 feet of elevation, average gradient of 4.6% with max of 18%.

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From mile 68 – 84 had some spikes but nothing too bad and were fast. This is where we joined the route that covered on the way out, Alpine hill from the opposite side.

The final climb was at mile 97, why!!!!??? This was Dyckman Hill and was horrible.
1 mile in length, 328 feet elevation, average gradient of 6% and max of 10%.

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After this the final 3 miles were a slight climb of 2-3% and then we saw the finish line.

Race finished and what a race it was. In the starting area I noticed a guy with a ‘Tour of Britain’ cycling cap on so I started talking to him. Turns out he was from London as well. This guy was amazing and we rode the whole 100 miles together, which made a massive difference.

The only issue I had was a puncture and once I checked my wheel it was a drawing pin and someone had put loads on the course, there must have been 30 – 40 punctures that day.

I finished 724th out of the 5000 entries, and 229th of 691 in my age group M18-39, yes a strange group I know. Ride time of 05:47 as I had a puncture and 3 rest stops. Official time of 06:18. I am very happy with this time.

Other than that would I do it again, YES I would.

Course video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOGSF_INKKc

Category: Events, Running

Run Hackney Half Marathon

Yesterday I ran Run Hackney half marathon and I will mention now (and probably several times during this post) that it was hot! It was the hottest day of the year so far and running in it was tough to say the least. I saw two e-cards that said ‘I sure wish it was hotter and more humid out said no runner ever!’ and ‘I think the heat index during my workout today is somewhere between OMG & WTF’ and they seemed apt for yesterdays run.

This was not an event I had on my training calendar for this year but following my disappointment at my half marathon on Brentwood my husband signed me up and he was running with me. I need to say now a massive thank you to him for running with me as I am not good in the heat and I found it tough. However, most people seemed to find it tough.

I have never run in such heat, even when abroad. I have never seen so many people collapsing and being taken off in ambulances or helped by St Johns Ambulance staff. We saw one guy with a drip being put in at the side of the road. Later in the day the event organisers made a decision that people left on the course had to walk for safety and whilst I am pleased I was finished before then I completely understand the decision and think they were correct to do so.

We drank a lot of water, which meant I needed a toilet stop or would have wet myself so ended up in a kebab shop (of all places though I promise no kebabs were consumed in the making of this half marathon) where a lovely man said we could use his loo – queue panic as I couldn’t undo the drawstring on my new running leggings.

It was interesting as all runners stuck to one side of the roads, where there was shade, as opposed to running in the sun aside from the final 3 miles which had no shade and were a killer.

A really nice touch was in the final miles where the organisers had set up shower stations where water was being sprayed and this was much needed. There were several people outside their houses spraying hoses, kids with water guns and people with water sprays around the course and I ran up to each and every one for some relief in the heat.

My husband was pacing me though it was clear from the beginning, as the race organisers had mentioned, that given the conditions this was not going to be a run for a PB. Secretly I was hoping I would get a PB or at least a better time than Brentwood, however, as the day went on the sun got hotter and it was clear that the goal should be completing and nothing else.

No one I knew got a PB on this run, in fact most found they completed it, because of the heat, anywhere from 20-40 minutes longer than they usually do in the heat and so although my time was slower than Brentwood under the circumstances I am not too disappointed and it is all training, job done, medal got!

I think next time someone asks me to do an event in that heat I may well reconsider! I wilted, melted, sweated and withered in the heat and was so pleased when I saw the finish line and got my medal. Again huge thanks to my husband, I could not have done it without him!

I had several friends from work who also took part in the run, which was going towards our 50 for 50 campaign at work in which we are completing 50 events over the year for our 50th birthday. One of whom (the lovely Roberta) picked me up the rather fetching hat you can see in the pics and it was a godsend plus you couldn’t mis me with the bright pink hat on (I think my face was the same colour by the end of the run).

It’s not the cheapest events but it is on closed roads and for your fee you get a goody bag, technical t-shirt and medal. A little disappointed the medal was not as nice as the one my husband got last year at this event and even more so that it doesn’t even say anywhere that it was for a half marathon which is odd?! Overall it was an amazing event and I think Run Hackney did East London proud. The support from staff, volunteers, St Johns Ambulance, police, marshalls was amazing especially Run Dem Crew at mile 11.5!

And did I mention how HOT it was?!?!

Category: Cycling, Events, Fitness

Be Fit London and Bike Events Cambridge 100 cycle ride

To start my bank holiday weekend I took the day off work and headed up to Angel to Be Fit London for the day with my friend Emma. Think Ideal Home Show but health and fitness related and for women only. We were VIPs for the day and so had full use of the VIP lounge and everything in it.

First on the agenda was using the Braid Bar to have our hair plaited – sounds slightly odd but the first thing a woman does when she is working out is shove the hair into a bun or ponytail and braids are perfect (Braid Bar can be found in Selfridges in London). I went for two ponytail style plaits as I have thin old lady hair so actually felt a bit bad for the poor girl trying to make it look like big bulky plaits but she was amazing!

Next was to get our make up done – we did this all in the wrong order as we were booked onto a fitness class too and, for me at least, make up and fitness are not the best partners! Sara Hill were there with a team of make up artists – I’m not a big make up user so for me it felt a little odd but my friend Emma looked gorgeous!

We were treated to Skinny prosecco – didn’t even know that such a thing existed and was really nice too with half the sugar! Then it was time to shop and there were loads of stalls to look around. I stocked up on Nakd bars for all my upcoming training they always work a treat and managed to get some more running tights from Reebok, one of the partners for the event.

But I have to tell you about the class we attended run by Gym Box called Pound because it was simply amazing! It is described by Gym Box as:

“Pound is a full-body cardio jam session, combining light resistance with constant simulated drumming. The workout fuses cardio, Pilates, isometric movements, plyometrics and Isometric poses into a 45-minute series. Strengthen and sculpt infrequently used muscles, and drum your way to a leaner, slimmer physique – all while rocking out to your favourite music!”

All I can tell you is that it was so much fun and a great workout and I will be looking into both Gym Box and wherever I can get this class as I need it in my life! If you check out my Instagram I reposted a video added to Instagram but the fabulous instructor.

Great event and will be back for more next year!

On Sunday a group of us headed to Cambridge for the Bike Events 100 mile bike ride – the boys headed off together and Laura, Helen and I set off together as our first 100 miler in preparation for our big Newcastle ride.

This ride was my idea and last year Helen and I took part in the 50 miler but the weather was vile heavy rain and wind and cold for the whole thing but it is flat and I figured it would be a good way to get some big miles in fairly early on in the season.

The first 50 miles were great and when I look at my ride results on Strava it is personal record after personal record. Poor Laura got a puncture at mile 20 and we had to stop a few times to keep pumping it up as the first rest stop had no pump (poor show Bike Events) and we managed to convince her to use a gas canister before we got to a pub rest stop at mile 55 were there was a mechanic who sorted it with a proper pump (hand pumps and gas canisters are great to fix the problem but do not keep the tyre pumped up like a proper pump). As we were in a rest stop in a pub it would have been rude not to have a cheeky shandy before we set off again and so we did!

But then the second 50 started and we hit the wind, excuse the language but the bast*rd wind! It was pretty much 50 miles of relentless strong heavy winds for the rest of the ride, which was through what seemed to be the same field over and over and over again and again and again! The three of us got split up pretty quick but we kept regrouping though it was pretty much a case of get through as best you can without falling off your bike from the sidewinds that seemed to hate all cyclists in Cambridge. Oh and the cobbled speed bumps at 86 miles through the town of Ely, for a woman, were nice and comfortable!

I think all three of us were feeling pretty miserable and disheartened but then with less than 20 miles to go we found out the boys had only just finished and realised everyone was struggling with the wind and quite selfishly that made us feel better!

We finally finished and collected our certificates – Bike Events when will you do medals? I am a complete medal whore! I think we all got sun burnt a little though Helen seemed to have suffered the worst!

One day left of the bank holiday weekend so enjoy!

Category: Cycling, Events

Newcastle to London by bike?

Last year a friend of mine, Helen, took part in a 24 hour endurance cycling event and my husband and I went along as support and I rode two of the stages and my husband rode one. Anyway the whole event was organised so well and we both found it quite emotional and inspiring. So………….in a moment of madness I decided that rather than just help on a couple of stages I would like to give it a go myself and so this year I am part of a team of four amazing ladies (Helen, Laura, Kat and myself) and we will be taking on this challenge together.

Last week we booked our hotel for the night before and it is now all getting a bit real and sinking in that we actually have to cycle from Newcastle to London and that’s a really really really really really long way!

To just give some perspective on the distance it is 310 miles (498km). In 24 hours. Your reaction is probably similar to how I feel about it.

The event is organised by Ride 24 and they explain the event as follows:

Central London is the target – 310 miles due south. After an excited build up – 1,000 riders set out over the Tyne in 3 waves, past the Angel of the North and on to the Yorkshire Hills. Through York down to the Humber – then on to historic Lincoln and the welcome flat lands beyond.

The sun dips – night time arrives as we pass sleepy villages and speed through quiet countryside. Dawn breaks – the Capital’s skyline is soon in sight – as the finish approaches the clock seems to stand still – 24 hours?

_{310 miles in 24 hours. The route is split into 7 stages of approx 40/50 miles – with covered Rest Stops at the end of each leg to take on food & drink supplied by our specialist catering team – and to sort any repairs to bike & body!}

As I was at the event last year I saw first hand how well it was organised with every rest stop having free drinks, food, gels and snacks. Unlike a normal sportive you do have to stop at every rest stop so they can scan you in and account for all participants. The routes are fully signed and there are pace riders taking part as well. Mechanics and medics are available the whole way and also vehicle support.

You finish in Smithfields Market in London and are greeted with a well earned medal and glass of bubbly (dear husband of mine please note I would like a bottle of the bubbly and not just a glass please and thank you).

Whilst the event is fully supported we will have my husband in a support car with our own little support crew who may even take it in turns to ride the odd stage with us (especially during the night stages where we could do with someone being loud and making sure we stay upright on the bikes!).

I am excited and nervous in equal measures and from now until August we will not be having many free weekends that are not occupied with bike training to ensure we are properly bike fit for this event.

The charity we are raising funds for is Macmillan Cancer Support a hugely worthwhile charity.

We have a fundraising page set up should anyone wish to sponsor us – http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=Scrambled_legs_go_cycling&faId=656649&isTeam=true

Until then we will stock up on chamois cream although I am still sure that by August we will all be like old leather handbags (too much?).

Category: Events, Running

Volunteering at the Virgin London Marathon

Yesterday I volunteered at the Virgin London Marathon. My friend Laura was in charge of the water station at mile 23 and so my friend Steve and I signed up to help her and I really wanted to do a blog post to write up my experience.

We arrived at about 9am (Laura had been there since 6.45am) and it was all hands at work setting up the station with water, signing volunteers in and giving out the t-shirts and hats that Buxton had supplied. There were those like myself that had volunteered but also two scout groups that were volunteering as well and so nice to see the kids get involved.

The first wave to come through were the male wheelchair racers followed by the female wheelchair racers with first places going to Marcel Hug (1 hour 35 minutes) and Tatyana McFadden (1 hour 44 minutes).

Next to come through were the amputee runners and the visually impaired runners being led by guides. The guides are astounding, running the marathon to assist someone – the first time I saw a blind runner with a guide was at Brighton 10k in 2015 and it made me cry as I had not seen it before and yesterday was no different (emotions are high on marathon day so these were just the first of many tears).

Next to come through were the elite women followed by the elite men with first places going to Jemima Sumgong (2 hours 22 minutes) and Eliud Kipchoge (2 hours 3 minutes). Obviously these guys are elite but their pace, their stamina, their finish times everything is just amazing. I was slightly nervous about giving water to any of these in case i dropped it and they tripped and fell and oh god the pressure!

Following this are the runners from clubs, ballot places and charity runners. This was when the footfall really picked up and you couldn’t hand the water out quick enough.

Being at mile 23 I naturally expected most runners to be flagging but most people looked so strong. I saw Steve from my running and cycling clubs come through and finished in 2 hours 58 minutes – astounding effort! I didn’t get to see Joanne from my cycling club but she finished in 3 hours 51 minutes. Next for me to see was my friend Darren who thought it would be good to soak me with the water I had just given him before he set off to finish in 4 hours 45 minutes. Next up was my friend Warren who finished in 5 hours 10 minutes shortly followed by my friend and work colleague Amy who finished in 5 hours 15 minutes. I also missed my friend Vicki though she finished in 5 hours 56 minutes. Amazing effort and runs by all who are completely inspirational!

There were also people who came through in tears and I just wanted to hug them all, run with them or do something and its easy to say not long now but after 23 miles I am sure another 3.2 seems like an eternity.

And the poor men running with the bleeding nipples – ouch!

I also managed to see a man I had heard about from an obstacle group I am on who was completing the marathon with a 4 stone tumble dryer on his back (as you do)! And he finished in 6 hours 5 minutes – insane!

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I also saw Paul Martelletti who I have seen run and win races before and is an amazing athlete and finished in 2 hours 17 minutes. And Makoto Takeuchi, from Japanese rock band The Chambers Flag, who was (as he has done numerous times before around the world at various marathons, which is how I had heard of him) dressed as Jesus carrying a cross and running barefoot who finished in 5 hours and 58 minutes.

I truly mean that I am completely in awe of everyone who takes part whether they finish first or last. I headed home at about 6pm and there were the final people coming through and i found it slightly heartbreaking as they are cleaning up the streets and they have to finish on the pavements and there are very few spectators left but they keep going and are just as inspirational! This was where the tonne of jelly babies and wine gums that I had bought came in handy and got eaten pretty quickly!

Would I volunteer again? Absolutely! Would I recommend others to do the same? Absolutely! It was an amazing and humbling experience and made me realise the hard work that goes in behind the scenes that you do not often realise and everyone who plays a part in that does so voluntarily and completely for free.

Massive respect to everyone who takes part whether it be a runner or a volunteer – I take my hat off to you all especially my lovely friend Laura who has selflessly done this for 14 years! x

Category: Events, Running

Brighton 10k

Yesterday I took part in the Brighton 10k and it’s safe to say I was not overly excited – I’ve not been overly excited about any running since my half marathon last month. I was running with my husband and so we chose to stay in Brighton rather than drive up Sunday morning and be rushed/traffic etc.

We got to Preston park and it was way too muddy for my new Asics! Everyone set off with trainers literally caked in mud. The route was slightly different to last year but still undulating for the 6.3 miles. The sun came out the second we started, which was good as it was so cold on the start line – pleased I packed my sunglasses to run in.

I had decided that as I have been beating myself up since my half marathon where I was not impressed with my performance that at the Brighton 10k I would not check my watch and just run. At about 4k, after thinking we were steaming along, I found out that we in fact were not. I was running slower than usual. It was strange as I genuinely believed I was running really well up until that point.

From this point on I tried to pick up the pace and push through but I found it tough, tougher than I thought I would. When we finally got to the seafront I was keeping one girl in my sights the whole time – a fellow Mudd Queen. You run part way up the seafront and double back on yourself. At the point you double back there is about 1.5k to the finish and my husband was reminding me to take deep breaths (something I am useless at) and lengthen my stride (which I did try to do but it obviously didn’t last for that long).

Towards the end of the seafront I wanted to be sick and actually heaved (sorry). Thankfully there was no public puking and off we set again. At the home stretch this happened again and unfortunately the Mudd Queen I had caught up to was now several metres in front of me.

I finished over 2 minutes longer than this run took me last year and I was really disappointed. The intention was to stay in Brighton for the afternoon to watch the marathon runners but we headed home instead.

We did get to see a lot of the marathon runners and I am in awe they are amazing – 26.2 miles and here I am moaning about 6.3 miles.

Now I know not all runs can be good and everyone has bad runs but I had no reason for this run to be bad – no illness, weather was perfect, running with my husband, tried and tested clothing but mentally I was clearly not in the right mind. So i have no excuses. My half marathon has knocked me and it is showing in my efforts. Time to get back to run club and work on this I have the Hackney Half coming up and I want to run thinking yes this girl can!

Category: Cycling, Fitness, OCR

I am Spartan, cycling and more fun at Nuclear #lovemud

At the weekend I took part in my first Spartan race at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. I was part of a team filled with lovely people, one of whom was my husband and this was the first OCR I have done with him. They all made it amazing!

I was a little dubious to begin with as you will know I am a huge fan of Nuclear Races and i love the mud and this was more of an urban OCR so I knew there would be a lack of water and mud, however, I had a blast! Of course the company you are with makes the event for a huge part and I was in a team with my husband, training buddy I’ve mentioned a lot in my posts, Helen, and a load of lovelies! My husband has already completed the trifecta before which is all three race distances in the space of a year – something I am signed up to do this year – eeeekkkk!!!

It starts with a little warm up and an introduction by a half naked, chiselled to within an inch of his life, spartan, which is always nice. The marshalls were amazing the whole way round, really supportive, always with words of encouragement and Spartan had made great use of the area. As always there were fellow Mudd Queens running and marshalling and always had a hug, high five or words of encouragement – the best group of women!

The run was 4.5 miles and had over 20 obstacles including barbed wire crawls, cargo nets, walls to climb over, atlas ball carry, monkey bars, sandbag carry and the dreaded spear throw and rope climb that are known as the burpee maker. When you can’t complete an obstacle you have to complete 30 burpees and everyone loves burpees (not)!

My husband was there to help everyone with all the walls – didn’t quite know his own strength though and after getting me up to the top of a 6 foot wall prompted pushed my leg and launched me over it. To be honest I totally appreciated the help as the walls scare me and are not something I am ready to conquer on my own – but one day….

Getting to the end and getting my medal and third of the trifecta medal was amazing and we smiled the whole way round. The best thing about obstacle runs is the attitude of most people taking part – everyone helps and there is no judgement!

I followed up with Sunday having a 40 odd mile bike ride with some of the lovelies at Romford CC with some new members and then just to top the weekend off I ended up back at Nuclear for another taster session with my friend Becky and son, Jack that ended with another go on the Death Slide with new polished surface and kicker the whole way along – awesome! I could go Nuclear every weekend I just love it! Don’t get me wrong I am not brilliant at it but I am better than I was and every taster session I pick up new hints and tips whilst introducing new people to it and they all get why I love it there!

Needless to say my legs are covered in bruises (OCR kisses) but it was completely worth it!

#lovemud

Category: Cycling, Fitness

Zwift FTP Training

I did a blog post a while ago about a Functional Threshold Power (FTP) test I took. In this test you can see what your FTP is, generally over a 20 minute period, and this determines your ability to sustain the highest possible power output. The test on Zwift can last either 45 minutes or 75 minutes including a warm up and some interval training before the actual 20 minute test itself begins and as a result 95% of the 20 minute average power is used to determine FTP. I wasn’t entirely sure what the difference between the shorter and longer one was and so opted for the longer one (because I obviously have some weird masochistic tendencies to inflict pain upon myself).

Once you have completed your FTP test the programme sets your training plans by this level and gives the ability to easily see improvements.

In my previous test I scored 169 and when I took the test last week I was 184 so good to see an improvement though the test itself still made me feel physically sick and my legs were like jelly. My aim for the end of 2016 is to break the 200 power mark.

I have an epic ride I am undertaking in August and so I figured this is good training in addition to road riding that will only benefit me in the run up and as part of my training plan and I know numerous people who train using an app called Zwift and so signed myself up on a free trial and following the test itself I have started an FTP builder training plan they offer. Weeks 1 and 2 were for those who are unfit and whilst I am not an athlete by any means I wouldn’t class myself as a newbie so I skipped to week 3 and have completed that programme over the past week.

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Obviously the typical English weather means sometimes it can not be enticing to get out on the bike and sometimes too dangerous meaning turbo training is the best means of training and Zwift offers an alternative where you can do this sort of training with the added benefit of being able to train with friends who are also users. You can follow routes online with other users from all over the world in a 3D online environment.

You can sync with your Strava to load your ride directly and see all the stats from your ride including simulated elevation, average speed and also segment information.

It’s a simple concept where you put your bike on a turbo trainer and get going. I use a Wahoo Kickr, which is an impressive piece of kit and means that as I ride the courses the trainer changes the resistance in real time based on road gradient providing the most realistic experience without actually being out on the road.

You can chat with other users and they can give you a thumbs up as you are riding and you can do the same to them. Over the past week I’ve seen some quite large groups riding together and chatting along the way.

The turbo is not my most favourite piece of kit as there is no natural movement and I find it can become uncomfortable pretty quickly especially when the sessions I completed this week, covering 153 km, could last up to 1 hour 25 minutes and your husband thinks he is funny by increasing your FTP to 340 so 1 hour 15 minutes of pure torture and hell at such a high resistance I thought my knees would give out. I have a table fan on full blast, towel on the handle bars, water bottle in the bottle cage and music blaring – it is the only way I can get by on a turbo. I actually saw this advert recently and not only did it make my laugh out loud but I could totally relate to it – honest and accurate!

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There is currently a free 14 day trial being offered on their site and if you are a Strava premium user you can get a two month free trial so if you fancy it get yourself signed up and give it a go!

Category: Events, Running

Dead Drop Bunny Hunt

On Good Friday I set off to London with my lovely friends Laura and Helen as we had signed up for a treasure hunt run. We did not look even slightly out of place travelling into London wearing Bunny ears at all.

The event was run by Dead Drop Fitness and I had not done one of their events before but they were being discussed in an OCR Facebook group I am part of and I was intrigued.

We had opted for the 10k version and the mission was simple the Easter Bunny had all his chocolate stolen by the Evil Rampant Rabbit and it was our mission to follow the clues to recover the stolen chocolate, take down the Rampant Rabbit and save Easter.

A week before the event we received an email telling us to add someone as a friend on Facebook and they would be leaking information about the event over the coming week. We first received an email with some clues as to where the event may start and information was drip fed to us through the week on the lead up. The clues were also hilarious – in the emails giving us bits of information the story was very funny and I won’t give too much away but it contributed to making the whole event a lot of fun! We then found out the day before where we were to head for the start and what time to be there for.

Once we got to the start and found the other ‘operatives’ waiting in Berkeley Square, some also wearing bunny ears so we knew we had found the correct starting point, we were giving a briefing, a map and explanations about how this would work. To my relief this is not just a race but there is a different side to it as not only do you have to get to the finish point but there is extra fun involved, which was our strength.

At 12.30pm we all set off and to begin with we had to find 3 separate chocolate dealers who we met and had to give the password of ‘I want to rub chocolate all over your body this Easter’. It is only once you had given the password they would speak with you, firstly by giving you chocolate and then giving you a clue. The three clues led you to the Easter Bunny who was in Hyde Park. The Easter Bunny had 4 clues to give (that you could only have one at a time). Each clue gave you a number that you then entered into an app to lead you to the finish point where you would find the Evil Rampant Rabbit and then beat him (with a very soft stick – no harm to bunnies here) to get the stolen chocolate back.

Extra fun included rabbit selfies – so on the map there were optional rabbit selfies marked where you can go and take a selfie, which then deducts 8 minutes from your time – we were doing the 10k race and so had to complete a minimum of 5 out of 16. Don’t want to brag but we got all of them (boom)! You could also take a photo of other operatives (without them noticing), which then gets them 8 minutes added to their time. Let’s just say we took a lot of those!

We were lucky in our team (Scrambled Legs) as we had our very own personal human sat nav by way of Helen who very freakishly knew every square inch of Hyde Park and the surrounding areas. I’m not joking it was like she had a built in park compass and I said if ever she wanted to give up her job as a PA she could be a black cabbie, not that you need a black cabbie in the park but you know what I mean. Seriously one of the clues for a rabbit selfie was to take a pic at the circular horse track and to try and get a horse in the background. Helen promptly turned full circle and headed off in the direction of the track (that I didn’t even know was there) though did tell us we would not see a horse, which we didn’t and so most of the clues went this way.

Laura was very stealth like and running off in every direction though taking off her bunny ears when we saw operatives on other teams so they didn’t notice us. However, given that most people in the park were having a leisurely stroll, picnic or playing with kids and we were running around with a treasure map I think we stuck out like a sore thumb and not sure taking the ears off made much of a difference ha ha. It surprised me how much we didn’t care we were in a busy park and carried on running around like lunatics without a care.

We tried to incorporate the OCR in us all with Laura climbing on top of the post box we needed a pic off and when we had to take a pic on the band stand Laura did struggle as there was a fence around it, with a closed gate. I should add the fence is about 2 feet tall so not much of an obstacle though Laura is not one to break the rules so whilst Helen and I jumped it she politely walked round and through the gate.

We got to the pub, which was the finish point, with most people already there – I think we were 3rd from last to turn up but our surveillance skills were on point and we only won!!

After we had bashed the Evil Rampant Rabbit we were each given an easter egg, medal and drink at the bar and as we won we also received a bottle of champagne.

I cannot recommend doing an event from these guys enough. What is not to like? You can get in your exercise, spend time with friends, get to run around London having fun, excellent value for money and I guarantee you will laugh a lot and not regret signing up. I will absolutely be doing another one for sure!