Run > Race

MILFORD 21. Had an easy week, so really felt ready for a good run. Had expected to run at 11 minute miles, but the course was easier than expected, and I had no garmin so just ran as I felt (which was a fair bit quicker). Lost Prue in the first mile, and then just ran as steady as I could. I overtook the first person at around 90 minutes, and then a fella caught me up and we ran together for a while. And then others seemed to be slowing, and me and 'fella' overtook a few more. But the real place-saver was the switchbacks about half way through - I'd just caught up to a group of 5 or 6 runners and by the end of the switchbacks I was in front of all of them - I love that, that's when the fellrunning comes into its own 'Fella' and another bloke temporarily overtook me again on the flat, though I went back in front at around 15 miles. I'd love to know my splits as I didn't feel I tired drastically. I felt slow and lumbering on the long long uphill drags, but still quite sprightly on the downs. I took a right tumble at around 18 miles, but was delighted that it wasn't too serious, as I knew I was having a good run and just wanted to carry on. Mike helped me straight up, and after a couple of shaky minutes I was away again, leaving all that group behind except for another woman. We ran together for a while, but I think the last hill mentally drained her, and I lost her there. I went past another bloke who was reeling around on that hill too, and flew off to the finish. I was having a great downhill run, and didn't realise I'd gone through the finish, until Nick stopped me doing the Milford '22'! It was hot, so I drank water at all the drinks stations, and I had a gel after each hour of running, and also a nibble of a nutrigrain bar as my tummy was griping at around 15 miles, but couldn't really eat it. That seemed to be enough. My quad was fine. The foot 'neuroma' pain came on around 50 minutes, and was intermittent after that, it didn't stop or slow me, but the next day I had a large bruise on my foot again, really strange. I will have to pad it for the Manx. Overall, a really satisfying run! I'm actually amazed I could run it in 10 minute miles.