This race is only 5 minutes away from where I work so I rocked up around 6:10, parked up and picked up my race number. I've ran here a few times both racing and training so I know the course and I know the race procedure. I go into my routine of stretching quite early and just potter about eyeing up other racers, and seeing what trainers people had chosen.
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| straining the quads |
As the organisers mustered us over to the start line the cani-cross dogs started going mental, barking and pulling and generally getting over excited. This race is always great fun with lots of people and lots of dogs, I always like the surprise start as you can never hear the countdown of the barking dogs. "Go". Shit haven't got my watch on the right mode, or made final show lace checks. Arr well, after a quick fumble with the watch and a glance at my shoes, I'm off and picking my way past the smaller dogs and slower runners. The weather is prefect and the starting run through the woods is stunning. The course then opens up into a wide compacted stone path, and is the first mile of uphill.
I wasn't feeling very strong and couldn't get enough energy into my legs, and was slowly being overtaken by other runners, this was a little disheartening but I decided I would take them back on the downhill. But as I hit the downhill I couldn't pull any places back but I was spurred on by a gang of miniature supporters with football rattles and loud cheers. My legs were really feeling the race today, so I planned to upcoming water station to give them a little rest-bite. This 10 meter walk allowed an other runner to pass me, but the short rest and water allowed me to push past him once I got back up to running speed.
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| Finish line sprint |
The next hill was a killer, a 2.5 mile slog, my legs were heavy and I was pretty crest fallen, as I felt I should be faster and stronger up this hill, but my body was crying out to walk. I kept pushing, to try and keep hold of the place I was maintaining. A slight descend followed by short sharp climb saw me loose 4 or 5 places. But I know knew it was downhill all the way. I focused on a guy in an 'Avalanche Yeti Race' t-shirt and was determined to pick him off. But he could really open up on the down hill. But I managed to hang on to his heels as we both started picking off runners, with 500 meters to go he opened up the gap leave 2 or 3 runners between us. With 300 meters to go, I decided to empty the tank, bursting past the other runners to get insight of the Yeti man, on the final corner I had no chance of catching him, but looked over my shoulder to realise I was safe not to lose any more places. I was done in when I finished, both physically and mentally, It's not great feeling like you not running as well I you know you have in the past. and checking the results I was a couple of minutes slower than the two races, over the same course, last year.
But it was a beautiful day and place to run, just means I have to train harder to improve!
http://www.jackrabbitevents.co.uk
http://www.runner-photos.co.uk/rpEventSearch.asp?RaceID=BHS13
In summary: A hard 5 mile hilly race, slick organisation, and very beautiful scenery.
Scores (out of 10)
Course: 9
Terrain: 7
Difficulty: 7
Return factor: 8
Overall: 8
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