Arriving in the rain wasn't particulry pleasant I have to say, despite the fact that I enjoy a bit of weather when running. Here's the view from the Landy on arrival;
The start times are staggered on the long course between 8.30 and 9.30am, and as last time I elected to start quite late at 9.20. There were quite few runners doing the same, most of which shot off quite quickly. I'd recce'd the course a couple of times, which obviously came in usefull as I knew to keep a steady pace at the start and save a bit of energy for later.
The course started with a steady climb before dropping down to Rowsley, I resisted the temptation to chase down a few that overtook me and kept running comfortably at a decent pace. I set my GPS Garmin watch to 'pace' and used it to make sure that I wasn't dropping my pace or overdoing it, I know roughly how fast I should be running on different terrain and gradients.
Grassy fields and muddy tracks led to Calton Lees, and the feed station where we were required to 'dib' our timers. Being a feed station meant food and water was available, being a self-sufficient type (I carried water and gels in my bum bag) meant that I could save a bit of time by just dibbing and smartly moving on. It seems that quite a few stopped as after the feed station I caught and moved past a fair few others. This next section was the start of a steady climb which got gradually steeper, knowing this I downed a gel on the move. A chap in front was leaning against a fence stretching his calves, as I moved past he fell in behind me, breathing heavily. He then dropped back, caught up again before dropping away, obviously trying to hold my pace, and failing.
At Calton Houses the gradient kicked up, some walked, I ran steadily on through the hamlet and onto Calton Pastures, where the route headed west before turning south east and into Manners Wood. Being high open ground meant that we were open to the worst of the weather, which suited me fine as I rather enjoy headwinds mud and rain, moving along at a decent lick with a big smile on my face, overtaking a couple of far tougher looking competiters.
Into the woods and the mud got deeper, this being a well used bridlepath, I skipped around where possible but ploughed straight through when neccessary, and when it was fun to do so. There's a steep descent, with added roots and rocks, in these woods, which I have to say that I flew down with scant regard for ankles, whooping with the fun of it, passing the more cautious, enjoying the freedom of running fast downhill.
Once out of the woods the route turned to a wide stony farm track, then muddy fields, and finally a short steep tarmac downhill led to the final stretch. I stomached a final gel ready for more muddy fields leading back to the Agricultural Centre. This last section was flat, apart from the clamber over a fallen tree, a welcome obstacle!
I crossed the finish line in 1:34:37. My aim was for a sub 2 hour run, preferably sub 1 hour 50. So I'm rather pleased with myself. I came in in 60th place out of 139 finishers, 10th in my age group (out of 17).
I'm also rather pleased with my new shoes. When I recce'd the course last weekend my Salomon Fellraisers started creaking, arriving back at the car I noticed that the sole had come away on the right shoe in the instep. So I quickly ordered a new pair of Speedtraks (which are updated Fellraisers) online, not something that I'd usually do as I prefer to try shoes on before buying. They arrived on Wednesday, I went for a spin in them on Thursday, and got them covered in mud today. I'm pleased to say that they performed admirably, I just hope that they last longer the the 500k that the old shoes managed...
Paul.
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