I ran this race in its inaugural year 2015 and I didn't know the course at all but I did hear that it was a bit hilly (boy was that an understatement - 1000 ft of elevation) anyway my time then was 52:?? And I was quite pleased about that but there's always room for improvement...so I keep telling myself.
I made my way to the race and arrived at 7.00, picked up my number and it was nice to finally meet a few people in the flesh that I had only ever before spoken to on strava, after a little chat it was time to race.
Now before I start (literally) it's been a busy last couple of weeks as I'm preparing to move house and I'm trying to get some miles in whenever I can and without boring you with the details I didn't think I was going to make the race tonight so I put in a couple of runs today then as the day progressed I COULD make the start, but the race head was still attached but with a different strategy and knowing I had ran earlier in the day I knew I wasn't going to beat last year's time and that as long as I'm under an hour then that for me would be acceptable.
The countdown began and we were off, I didn't sprint off like last year it was a bit more relaxed than that so as to feel stronger on the hills and not walk any of that first hill at least, I managed that and made up a few places so I ticked that box.
Next step this time was to start to gather a bit of speed on the next downhill section, I was doing ok but not as quick as I'd have liked and I don't think anyone passed me, but the next hill was a different story I was struggling to keep a decent pace my ribs were hurting I had a stitch and I just couldn't up my pace and in the next couple of miles I counted around 18 runners passing me, I was hanging on so as to not make this race a total disaster. From the road, up a long steep hill everyone I could see were walking (thank god not just me 😅) and once at the top I started running again and feeling a bit stronger, stitch went and my ribs not hurting anymore, around a half mile to go as we made our way up the last hill I passed a couple of runners but it was too late to put a dent in the runners that passed me earlier or my time but 58:58, I ran under the hour, it's what I expected so I wasn't too disappointed.
Summary
The thing that attracts me about this race is its a short (10k) trail race, you're not under any pressure for a personal 10k best on this course, only 10-15 minute drive from my house, on a Wednesday evening and the last 2 years it's been glorious sunshine, the views from the tops of the hills are amazing (not that I got to take them in properly, I would have been rolling down those hills like humpty dumpty had I took my eyes off the ground in front of me) it's very well organised with lots of marshalls - impossible to get lost, and the photographs are of top quality in a beautiful backdrop.
Now you must be thinking there must be a negative somewhere, well there was - I DIDN'T WIN 😊
