Oh yes, oh yeah, new PB, new 10k PB, Dalton Park 10k ✔️🏃👍

[ChrisAllen1]

Good morning running friends, so I hadn't been out much in the last few days what with settling into a new job and everything. I went out for a slow 6k jog yesterday to get the legs loosened for the Dalton Park 10k today.

Pretty bright and sunny when I got up although still with a blustery wind.

Dalton Park itself is a retail outlet about 45 minutes drive south down the A1 and A19 from where I live.

I arrived in plenty of time, got my race number (14, I must have been quick off the mark entering) and enjoyed a nice coffee in Starbucks watching the runners who looked like they would do it in sub 40 limbering up.

To the start line, a slightly surreal experience as it was inside the shopping centre and I was quite well back in the pack as we filtered through the barriers, it looked like about 700 in the field but I might be overestimating.

The first km was around the perimeter of the car park and I settled into a good rhythm, we then hit a steep half a kilometre climb which I was glad came early in the race. After that a section of just under 2 km along a single track muddy path before we reached the part that would be the heart of the race, a long disused road with a hill at one end. One length with the wind behind, back along it into a brutal headwind then back down with the wind again at my back.

I got to 5k in just over 31 minutes, the headwind section came between KMs 6 and 7.5 but although it was tough I managed to just about maintain my pace.

As I turned for the final long section with the wind behind I knew I was going to be close to a PB, the wind definitely helped as I tried to push and despite the legs really hurting the last 2 KMs were both under 6 minutes.

Final time was a actually slightly slower than Strava showed at 1.02.16 but still a PB by 47 seconds, 11 months after I ran it at the Blyth 10k.

A brilliant experience today, as always plenty of quick finishers out supporting the slower runners after they had finished and a cracking atmosphere both at start and finish.

Now for a very lazy afternoon, 4 weeks until my next race.

Obligatory bling photo to follow, I hope everyone get's a run in before the big storm hits.

Run happy, run safe.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Great race report Chris - well done on a new PB in the blustery conditions! I think race day adrenaline definately helps - I always go off faster than I plan - though I have never had a start line in a shopping centre!😮 Fab photo too! Rest up well👍🏅🙂

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Yes most of my faster 10ks have come in races although my 5k best was a solo run. The shopping centre start was odd but the course was a good one. Just waiting on the results e mail now.

[O505k Graduate10]

Well done, great race and congrats on the new PB.

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10 in reply to O505k]

👍

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Whooohoo! Another PB; way to go!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Well done my friend..you did amazingly..especially with the bluster!!

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

Thanks so much both x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Congratulations on your fab PB today Chris! Another lovely bling to add to your stash!

Hope the new job is suiting you😊xx

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

Yes the new job is fine, surprised myself again with that one, maybe sub 60 is just possible if everything fell into place!!! Xx

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Well done and congratulations on your PB, that's brilliant!

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Great race and time ChrisAllen1. Not sure I would have managed well in this stormy weather!

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Thanks, that into the wind bit was brutal but managed to keep enough speed going to know I could make it up with the wind at my back, roll on summer running!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Go Chris! Wow, what a great time, I’m not surprised you enjoyed that race! 👏👏👏🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[Katnap Graduate10]

Nice! Here's to your next PB 👏👏👏🏃🏃🏃🏆

[Wimborne]

Yay!!!!!!! 😀😀😀😀👍👍👍👍. And a PB 🌟🌟🌟🌟.

[Hidden]

Great race Chris and a great time too. 👍