I joined Team 9 Bar earlier this year but after the rest of the team had been selected so I already felt a little late to the party, and this had been compounded by missing a few planned 9 Bar races due to injury. Having been quite gutted to miss the 9 Bar events I had in my diary at the start of the season I was really looking forward to finally getting involved and meeting the rest of the team. I'd had to miss supporting some events as well because I couldn't even drive at the time, so I'd never actually met any of the team before this weekend! 9 Bar have been fantastic sponsors, providing me with a never ending supply of delicious 9 Bars. I must confess one reason I was looking forward to this weekend so much was that I wanted to try the new savoury flavoured 9 Bars...and they did not disappoint! The cracked black pepper 9 Bar is a new favourite, overtaking Pumpkin and Nutty at the top of my list.
The plan for the team was for everyone to take part in either the Castle to Castle 40 mile race (especially for the ultra runners in the team), or a lovely 14km run along the beach from Harlech. I had really been looking forward to this as I love new running routes, especially ones out in beautiful countryside and along the coast. However it's been taking me a little longer than I would have like to get over this irritating knee injury and having only managed 20 minutes a couple of days before the weekend, I decided not to stubbornly push on and instead I'd just do my best supporting and cheering off all the runners - especially those who did the 40 mile run! We had a lovely day sat in the sunshine, meeting the rest of the team and having a little paddle in the sea before we got ready for the 9 Bar meal and night out.
Enjoying the bank holiday weekend weather
The Team meal was sooo well organised by Alan & Liz who even arranged a complicated seat swapping schedule so we could all get to know each other without abandoning our partners at any point - I think this was much appreciated by all our partners who were bombarded with sporty chat for an entire day and night!
It was really inspiring to meet so many enthusiastic people who love their sports and train really hard to achieve what they do. From fellow triathletes and runners to BMX bikers and the GB white-water rafting team, there was a real mix of sports and a good number of fellow broccoli lovers (got involved in a great discussion about what meals were improved by broccoli - all of them!)
The evening included free drinks, delicious food, excellent red wine, presentation of awards to the team including many comedy awards and cartoon character trophies! Even better were the goody bags at breakfast next morning - now I have a huge supply of flapjacks and a great bag for putting my XC kit in this Winter!
Delicious & nutritious 9 Bar goodies!
I must say a huge thanks to 9 Bar for their support and to everybody for making me feel so welcome. I now feel super motivated to get back fit and racing again so I do some 9 Bar events! The 9 Bar Chilly Duathlon in November is hopefully an achieveable target and maybe by then I'll be fit enough to get a good result and do my sponsors proud - but regardless it'll be a great to see some of the team again.
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