On Sunday as I drove to Standon for
the start of my 10 mile race, I was extremely pleased with myself
because I remembered the way and for a change did not get lost.
There
was also a very nice 4x4 in front of me and the driver looked
like a runner.
True to form he turned into the car park. The day was bright, sunny but cold so then I had to decide whether to wear a vest or a long top. The latter won. I have done this race a few times but can never remember the course, which was a good thing as I forgot about the hills. The gun went off at 11.00am and I calculated that I should be finished in about an hour and 35 minutes.
True to form he turned into the car park. The day was bright, sunny but cold so then I had to decide whether to wear a vest or a long top. The latter won. I have done this race a few times but can never remember the course, which was a good thing as I forgot about the hills. The gun went off at 11.00am and I calculated that I should be finished in about an hour and 35 minutes.
As I lined up I spotted “F” man in
front of me. That was it, for 4 miles we played cat and mouse, on mile 5
just before another hill he introduced himself to me as Mike Jones of
Stafford Harriers. It was nice to put a name to the “letter”.
He said he’d catch me later and as he seemed stronger on the hills I
thought he would, but, I managed to put some distance between us on this
race. To say it was hilly would be an understatement, but there are
some good downhills. We did have to go through
some very deep puddles (twice) as there was no way you could get round
them. So it was grit your teeth and get your feet very wet. It was
muddy in places and some kind person had put notices out warning us
about the “mud”.
As I approached 9 miles the top
of my thighs were burning , I put this down to the Hellraiser last
week. As I was running I was thinking of my fellow striders doing the
Déjà vu and 10 miles is nothing compared to that. I saw I was
looking at over 1.30 so tried to pick up my pace a
little. I got in at 1.31.33 which on this course for me was a PB as I
had previously done it in 1.33. “F” man came in a few minutes after me
and shook my hand. I would recommend this race as it is a good road
race albeit a bit hilly. Only one more race
to do on the NSRRA calendar on 24 November and as it is a Saturday I
can have a drink that night. Woo hoo!
For more information visit the Stone MM website.
Liz O’Keeffe
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