Run > Race

RACE REPORT
OK - so 10 miles and 1000m of ascent is probably not IDEAL preparation for a 10K race - but given the absolutely phenomenal weather - and the chance to potter about in the Lake District.....<br>
life's too short not to take those kind of opportunities!!!!<br>

It was a gorgeous day - sun - a bit nippy and just the lightest of breezes.<br>
Driving to the start, I thought.... Hmmmmm this is a Cumbrian 'undulating' course. Lovely, it has to be said..... but 'sporting' as a potential PB course<br>

Was pretty sure that th 3*:** time was beyond me on this particular course...... but thought - lets see what happens!!!<br>

Unexpectedly met someone I used to work with 15 years ago - in Wales!!! Small World, eh!!!!!<br>

Off we went - missed the first mile maker, but by the second was starting to feel the effect of yesterday.... by the 3rd mile, and at the point of the turn, the time was OK - but the first half was nett downhill, so the work was yet to come!<br>

Mile 4 hurt - a lot, and was the slowest split by a long way - "Oh dear" I thought "this is gonna be tough"
Mile 5 - also all up, and a long drag - was working pretty hard be this time - interestingly tho, going past quite a few people!<br>

Mile 6 More up and a couple of painful sharp downs too - This is hard, and not a lot left in the legs...... Still - another few backs successfully reeled in and beaten.<br>

Can see the finish now - and it's a slight downdulate - quicken up ya Bu@@er - Head say YES..... Legs say "On yer bike"!!!!!!<br>

Last little effort to the line... press STOP on watch... stagger to drinks table... remember to collect large Pud (haven't looked at watch yet!!!!!)... stumble to friend who's taking pictures to watch to Velociraptor coming in......<br>

Finally look at watch!!!<br>

Splits Looked like this:<br>

Miles 1&2: 6:21<br>
Mile3: 6:45<br>
Mile4: 7:19 (said it hurt!!)<br>
Mile5: 6:25 (uphill - that'll explain why it hurt!)<br>
Mile6: 6:03 (uphill - WTF - no WONDER that one was so hard!!!!)<br>
Last bit: 5:34 (WHAT - under 6 - where did that come from.....?????)<br>

So.... faster miles were the uphill miles - So either I'd warmed up and so need to do that better for the next race, and hence run better in the first half....... OR, I should just run uphill courses!!!!!!!!!<br>

Oh - the time!!<br>

On my watch (so unofficial as yet, but started at the hooter and stopped at the line.....)<br>

40:29<br>

Yes a PB - NO not sub 40 - but in the circumstances, and given the nature of the course, a good result!!!<br>

I'm pleased anyway - and thanks to everyone who showed faith in my ability to do this and bet on me!!! :o)<br><br>

Offical time 40:31