2nd time the event has been run, second time for me in it. Last year 2.05.55 was my time, I recall a good first 10miles and then fading badly. It’s hilly, nearly 300m of elevation.
So this is my year for pbs across the board. Training going well, at this point last year it had been practically nonexistent for 2months, weight 3lbs down on this time last year.....hoping to knock a good chunk off last years time.
Glorious weather, got to 13degrees by the time I finished, sunny, no wind. First 10miles are on average downhill a lot, but it is somewhat “up and downy”....I think that is a cartographers term completed in 1.11.21 which was about the same as last year. Whilst it was ok and broadly what I was aiming for, I had hoped to have done that bit holding a lot back and feel a lot fresher.....I didn’t!
Next 6.45 miles are up and uppy, some really tough hills that sapped pace and stamina. However, the miles in the bank and the longer runs I have been doing paid off. I knew I wasn’t going to break 2hours but was sure to be up on last year. A few paced it really well, cruising past but equally I went past a few too, so I knew I wasn’t in bad shape.
Finished in 2.02.59
Ag 2/20
Overall 39/470ish
So pleased it’s a pb, pleased I stayed strong for last 6, not so pleased that I didn’t break 2hours.
Have reflected...taper was ok, longer than I had planned as it wasn’t an A race, mileage and long runs have been good, weight down....all should have pointed to a good6/7 mins off last time. I am putting it down to “one of those days” where it was just not meant to be. Also, looking at last year, with the training I hadn’t done, I shouldn’t have done as well as I did
Oundle 20 in three weeks time, mara 4 after that. So far so good but no room for complacency methinks.