Category Archives: Blog

1st June – CSH3 – Shagless

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

It wasn’t Superbitch, but Shagless, from close to 4km up the Sameong Road. On arrival, no sign of the hash cash, but fortunately it was sorted before the run started and we set off up a little hill, with Push Back setting the early pace. At the first check, I went wrong leaving I Got Gas to lead the way along to an early Wimp Rambo split. The Rambos were treated to an extra loop with an ass slide down into a gully, and a rope climb back out of it. Another check thwarted us for a while before we rejoined the walkers.

Everything had been going ok THIS far… but sadly things got confused with people calling all over the place, whether they were on paper or not! Humperdick and Turkish set off backwards on a little loop and weren’t seen again till the end. At some point all the walkers vanished from ahead of us only to come in behind at the finish. The GM had been behind on the Rambo trail, only to pop up ahead, and the rest of us spent time running round in confused circles. Having got confused by a few bits of washed out old paper, I came off the mountain to the hare, who assured me there was plenty of paper there, because he’d just relaid it!

Still to come were several little bridges made out of all kinds of materials. The steel one, with nothing to hold on to, and the bamboo ones with a rail to hang on to, which would disintegrate if you did. Finally the On-In and back to the circle, where the highlight was Semen Soars and Able Semen singing a well rehearsed duet.

27th May – CH3 – Turkish Delight

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

I showed up a bit late for the run, and arrived mid hare brief – that meant I missed out on the alternative instructions for V checks. Moments ahead of Sups & Humperdick I set off to chase the pack down.

A bit on the road and then up into the hills – it was HOT!!! Sucking down oxygen it was hard going, and with limited checks catching up was impossible. Chuckie ran through the first 5 checks or so, and the pack was split up.

I finally caught up with Swing Low and we straight lined down the side of a cliff ripping trees up in the direction of the calls… – only to find Superman smiling smugly at the bottom coming from another direction. My legs weren’t working, it felt like running through jam, so Sups and I decided to re-check one of the confusing V checks, fortunately finding Chuckie blistering the pace back into the bucket.

Actually a great trail, great route, just could have done with a few more checks to keep people together, and give a chance for the late comers to catch up!

25th May – CSH3 – Foxy & Just Cumming

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 6.0/10 (1 vote cast)

I wasn’t sure who was the hare, but Foxy teamed up with Just Cumming to set a run out towards PTIS past Maerim. A few comments about how far out it was, but for me it was the better side of town and it also attracted the northern likes of Sloppy Rod.

Foxy had been on about the area for a while, and sure enough I didn’t recognise any of the trails, and it seemed like there were plenty of great running trails there! I set off and immediately got the first check wrong, as Chuckie picked up the pace. The 2nd circle caught us all though and we were some time to find trail – eventually the hares pointing it out. A combination of ‘blue-green’ paper in ‘green-blue’ plants, and off while paper strips in off white bamboo leaves made it tricky to say the least!

Anyway we went up a gentle hill and arced around a nice trail with the pack largely being kept together by 150m checks. As we headed back towards the A the pack was separated with Skiddy charging us off in the wrong direction down a steep hill while CW found trail ahead with Sloppy. Back up the hill and fortunately we were brought back together by another 160m check that had CW going around in circles.

Speaking of circles, another fun circle!

20th May – CH3 – Belly Dancer

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 8.5/10 (2 votes cast)

Why does Belly hate us so much? At some point he must have realised what a bad idea this run was, and he emailed around encouraging people either come early, and he’d laid a different trail that was easier. Why didn’t I listen?

I set off not long after the early pack had set off and soon enough caught up with Frozen Dick heading along a familiar trail used recently by Semen Soars. Up ahead I started checking one circle and then caught up as SS found some skiddy sticks. The paper had been hit by a storm and was hard to spot in places, so we were continually confused as we searched for trail around the fields. Finally we got onto a trail that ascended into the mountain. I hate hills. This trail up wasn’t so bad though, in good shape and not so steep that it was definitely possible to keep walking on, and happily I emerged to the circle check at the ‘top’.

The circle was on a saddle, with choices of up one of the hills either side, or down the back, where the trail split into multiple options. I tried several of them. The stormy wind was whipping around and carrying the ‘On On’ call with it. I was confused and lost a lot of time trying to find out where the pack was. Eventually I went back to the circle, and everyone had already disappeared. I was alone and made my way along the side of a ridge, scrambling to stay upright in the steep parts, hanging off trees, until I spotted Humperdick beneath me – literally about 400m away, straight down the cliff face. WTF? It only got worse. Rather than using one of the nice trails that ran down the hill, this was a straight line descent, alone, with storm clouds darkening the skies, weary legs. Humperdick disappeared.

Finally I got to a flatter part, with an identifiable trail to follow. But it was too late, my legs were like jellies, and it was all I could do to amble along hoping this time I might escape in daylight. I did – just! And not too long before HRA who had apparently set off another half hour after me!

Sat 18th May – CSH3 – Chilly Pussy

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 7.0/10 (1 vote cast)

When Chilly Pussy and Anything get together, they are evil… Last year they set the 2 most brutal runs of the year, what would today have to offer?? Belly Dancer had to make his own lunch as Anything wasn’t back in time from setting it – ominous! I’ve not really run for a few weeks, but None of Your Business was keen to go along, so I dragged myself out to the runsite – near Ob Kham.

We set off and for the first km or so there were no checks – Chuckie and I just ran along together until the trail turned right into a familiar quarry area. THe first V check had CW go up the hill and me go around the bottom – I hit the check back, but there are only 2 real options, and both trails meet up again, so I paralleled. We lost sight of paper a few times, but picked our way to a circle, after which the trail started heading up. Man it was hot!

We climbed with Skiddy not so far behind with I Got Gas. Another couple of checks had me and CW working as a team, with a group within earshot behind. The trail arced up a ridge to the critical point – is it going left or right? Right seemed further, but it was back towards Chilly Pussy’s house, and where Belly had been seen darting off towards at the start of the run.

We were still out in the middle of the jungle, and a circle check. It turned out to be the last circle check, even though there was a good few km to go, complete with twists and turns. Brutal? Yes, very! Anyway, I got it wrong, and made a bad call arcing around, so ended up way off the pace. Did I mention the heat? And my trainers were causing blisters. We still had a few hills to go. Up and down, aaaargh!

I saw Square Rooter behind me, and finally caught up with I Got Gas, Skiddy, and saw some guy from Phuket a bit ahead. It turns out Throbbing Ninja snuck through while I was checking as well, and she ran a phenomenal run. Where did that come from? The last runners were in the dark. Brutal – yes!

On On On at Barbindoll’s new restaurant – the good turn out had them struggling for chairs! 😀

28th April – CH4 – Semen Soars

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 4.0/10 (1 vote cast)

SS always puts a lot of effort into his runs – before the run he said he’d been out scouting 3 times but wasn’t satisfied. Running at baan Pong resort past San Kampaeng I knew there were plenty of good trails, so I set off with high expectations…

Quickly we were on the trail between the hill and the rice fields – I’ve been here before, in fact I could see the remains of checks from maybe a year back… Skiddy set a run here? Or was it the ball breaker? Who knows?

Off one circle I’d gone about 60m, when I spotted some white hanging in the distance on the fence – looking good I pressed on, but didn’t see any paper until I got to the fence – at which point someone called from towards the rice fields. Strange I was definitely on, it was clearly our paper, but maybe I’d gone too far? I arced around the fence, still on paper, and ran back into a circle check with Suckit coming towards me. Interesting – it seems we both got to the circle check from the wrong direction as there was paper heading off it the other way. A quick regroup, and we decided to head back and joined everyone running around like headless chickens in the field.

As Doggie called in year another direction. Behind me I heard a noise – was it a farmer shouting for us to get off his land? No, it was Semen Soars telling us we were going the wrong way – we were on a different one of his trails! He’d set several false trails while setting the real trail – just to try and confuse us? He pointed Tip Toe and I in the right direction and for once Tip Toe was the FRB! The rest mostly ignored us, and I was ahead, heading back towards the circle I’d already seen. This time I would get it right? Surely? Having already seen the paper, it was surely a no brainer? But as I got to the paper I’d seen before, it seemed like something was wrong. So as Suckit came along to explain what we were supposed to do, I took a nap in the ditch.

Eventually I started heading back as Semen Soars was there setting yet another trail so that we could get back from wherever we were… It felt like I was running backwards and forwards along the same road all evening, with sometimes there being trail, and other times not, but ultimately I don’t think I did what I was supposed to do… Or rather I did, because I got soem exercise and then drank beer… What more could you ask for?

27th April – CSH3 – Anything

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Down the canal road to an Anything / Chilly Pusy run with new GM Big Top. I turned up early to do the stand in hash cash role after various problems in the week. A few runners missing as they’d head overseas, a few runners missing as they went to the Lanna, but then several runners returning – their hatred of the old GM evident with one refusing to directly give me the money!! Oh well… On On right?

I missed the harebrief as I tidied up the cash, and then set off up the trail overtaking the walkers. I quickly got near the front as Sloppy gallantly took the wrong trail at the first check and led the way up the hill. Familiar trails, and I got lucky with 2nd guessing the hares. I was lucky and got a bit of a lead over HRA and Sloppy Rod.

It was an excellent trail with several unexpected twists and turns. We’ve run that area so many times, but still we were taking different routes – with the trail abruptly turning corners several times. Up and down, up and down – no major hills, but some good running trails in between the climbs.

Finally we came out of the hills and onto the flats, with Sloppy catching me as again we couldn’t find paper – “Looking!”. HRA & Sloppy lead the way to what was the last circle I saw and as I checked off trail, I ended up in someone’s fenced in garden, struggling to get out. When I did find trail again, I figured I was back in the pack, and wasn’t surprised when I overtook Burrito Butt & Wooly Jumper.

Past the On-In and back at the A, there were plenty of short cutters already there, but it seems I’d missed another dip into the mountains. Oh well! It was a great work out, mostly well set on good trails. Big Top did a great job of her first circle, and as a sign of things to come, it’ll be an interesting year ahead.

21st April – CH4 – Foxy Cleopatra

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 7.0/10 (1 vote cast)

Foxy teamed up with Angry Inch to set a run out at the Wat Umong area… My memories of Wat Umong involve steep climbs and at the base of the mountain I doubted there was much choice… Indeed one of the runs with the biggest elevation change last year was the run Mr. Poo set from there on New Years Day. Ugh, reluctantly I set off to get some exercise.

The hares were looking smug as they pointed us out – up the hill. I jogged off with Turkish, and promptly got the first few checks wrong. Trailing behind Turkey we headed up the mountain (for the first time). Turkish doesn’t call, but you know he’s on trail when after 100m or so he starts running. So we were left to visual hashing…

Finally Turkey got one wrong and I led Graven back down the hill, only for the trail to suddenly, abruptly turn right and go BACK UP the hill!!! Argh! I know where this is going – over the waterfall… Another long climb awaits! Trail led down to the left and there was a check in the stream – where did the main trail go? I couldn’t remember for a moment, but hacked my way across and climbed up to a level where I found the trail just as HRA & Turkey joined behind. Time to go back down…

I figured we’d go straight down the nature trail and the hare’s would have adjusted the trail from before? But no! Again there was a sharp turn to the right, and we were climbing again! Back up over another ridge, with only Graven alongside. A final circle had us confused until we found the On-In and made it to the beer. Apparently it confused HRA even more, and Turkey set off on another lap… Evil Pure Evil!

20th April – CSH3 – BmY

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 9.0/10 (2 votes cast)

Dah Dah! – the Grand Finale!! ?? :-O

Would BmY go through with muahhh modus operandi and avenge his year of 100% lost Saturday’s? Odds seemed good that he was planning an epic memorable run at the seldom hashed Heuy Tung Thao.

A very good turn out as usual for the AGFU and with BmY claiming to have spent over 6 hours setting the run with (the evil) Big Top – he launched into the hare brief – nothing unusual there, but I was in no hurry to charge out first today. In fact I hung back a bit to see the outcome of the secret whispering to Dick Tracy, Superman and Graven Image. I was sure I saw DT head off towards the moo baan under construction but then heard the On call across the road.

Bit strange BmY using the recreational area of Huay Tung Thao for the start of his run …. all standard stuff, although we normally run it the other way around. Square Rooter and I were the only ones who stuck to trail at the football field, everybody else short cutting from all directions. Burrito Butt and me ended up checking the circle after the football field which had not been kicked out – FRB toss pots!

Somehow everybody was fairly well in touch by the time we crossed the road again to head for the dreaded hills. A scenic beer stop at the lake BmY & BT enjoying a ‘moment’ or was it our suffering? At this point it actually was pretty tame knowing what BmY and BT are capable of! With Miss Piggy I headed over the dam – was fun watching Skid Mark and the FRB’s find the Skiddy Stix up the hill and the real trail left through the newly burnt jungle. Across to the left Superman was leading the short cutting … erm parallel runners. The concrete spillway was not my kind of fun, so decided that Superman’s leadership was the better option, so along with None of Your Business and a bunch of harriettes we headed parallel as Anything and Foxy Cleopatra scaled the hill.

The runners arced left in front of me and NOYB so we picked up the pace to intercept, unfortunately the trail was not very clear and we ended up heading back out – NOYB crossed the stinking bog but clearly it was wrong and I called him back as BmY might have been a tad upset if he’d been lost because of me! Back on powder on a scrubby trail through mango orchard we lost trail, but saw the short cutters ahead. The short cutters headed to the black top and Just Coming suggested we head On In along the road.

I only had 4km and thought I should put more effort in – surely BmY had something more devious than this in mind – so I turned right but NOYB decided that he’d had enough of sticking with me, so a lonely trek ensued. I picked up the trail where I expected at the base of the hill and with circle check upon circle check headed down the pleasant dirt track. I could see the lager site (A bucket) and at about 2km along the track saw 3 guys cutting across the rice fields in, but I stuck on trail and headed towards the moo baan development which I know BmY knows very well indeed.

The circle check in the dry gully foxed me a little and up under the concrete bridge would have made an interesting alternative to the concrete road, then finally over the dirt mound On In as I heard BmY start the circle for an 8.4km run.

New trails – no, epic and evil – no, but a good nearly normal run!!

So the circle – megalomania finally kicked in with BmY dominating proceedings start to finish – possibly his best circle ever!

The committee fired Trump style one by one, as he worked his way to the AGFU climax – giving birthday girl Anything the circle!!

Finally me fired himself and anointed The Evil Big Top as the new GM.

Good luck to Big Top for the year ahead and thanks BmY for an entertaining year which you worked very hard. A well earnt retirement!

OnOn
BD

16th April – CH3 – Frozen Dick

VN:F [1.9.11_1134]
Were you there? - Rate the Run!
Rating: 6.5/10 (2 votes cast)

Down to Ob Khan for the run and as I got to the runsite in a little mango orchard the hare was setting off to rescue hashers who were lost on the road. The songthaew was somewhere behind busy playing Songkran, but soon enough made it in time for the off.

Humperdick ran off to the first check, and promptly was wrong as I headed right – Chuck Wao right on my tail. As we headed up the mountain through another couple of checks, and CW was right there checking a few metres behind me… We looped around to the left, with the trail going pretty much straight on through each check descending through the trees. Angry Inch, the master descender / psycho, took over from Chuckie as the Lemming that just followed me right up to when I finally got it wrong and we turned left back towards the A.

I didn’t like the look of the climb back over the hill, so opted for a longer route “checking” around the base of the mountain. It might have been longer, but at least it was flat, so I came back to the trail in line with Graven, Angry and Chuckie.