A chilly morning when we arrived at the Brockenhurst marathon village 2 hours before our race. Apparently, there was a frost overnight, so it was a bit nippy for those runners who had camped for the event. But the forecast was warm and sunny so opted for shorts, not leggings. I should have opted for a vest instead of a T-shirt too.
Those 2 hours went quickly with a loo queue, watching the marathon runners set off, leaving our rucksacks at the baggage tent and another loo queue, just to be sure. The half marathon runners were doing a warm up and then set off. So we took our place in the warm up area. UpTheStanley went to the 45-60 minute group and I joined the over 60 min “leisurely pace??!!” run group. The warm up was great fun with lots of star jumps, lunges, and squats included. The 3 waves were then led one by one to the start line. I started chatting to a young girl next to me who was also on her own and very nervous. Then the start line appeared and we all took off, I started my watch, and my fellow runner disappeared at full speed.
Stanley and I had walked the course on Friday, before picking up our race packs, so I knew about the terrain starting with narrow stoney paths and hard packed earth, with occasional holes. I also spent the walk removing large chunks of dead wood from the running path, much to Stanley’s amusement.
Before we had done the first 2k, we were called to a stop as several New Forest ponies cantered through the trees across our path. They are so beautiful and they had foals amongst them. Auto pause on my watch meant that enjoying that special moment wouldn’t count against my Garmin time!
A water stop with scouts holding out paper cups at 2.8k and disposal bins shortly after. We had been warned that dropping cups or gel wrappers outside the zone would result in disqualification.
There were amusing notices “Run (New) Forest Run”. “Beware Snakes - Run Faster” and others along the route. In fact the signage throughout the course was excellent with different colours for each running group’s directions. The km markers didn’t agree with Mr Garmin but at least it was going to be more than 10k , not less.
There was a short piece of road running where we merged with other distance runners. Although it was busier, I was able to relax more on the tarmac, not having to look out for stones and holes. But then it was back into the Forest on our own again. The path took us to a choice of bridge or ford but I knew there wasn’t much water in the ford so took the easier faster route without getting my feet wet, overtaking quite a few people in the process. The woodland paths were shaded and cooler, and soft underfoot but tree roots had to be dodged. I called out a tree stump in the middle of the path and fellow runners thanked me, as they hadn’t seen it. We heard later that their had been a few falls or slips today. I was fairly happy with my pace and pleased that my breathing was good. It wasn’t until the last 2k that I started to get a niggle on the outside of my left knee. So at the next water point I walked a little. Then picked it up again. I tried running slower, but found that running normal speed with the occasional short walk worked best. We then came to the polo club so it was a grass field run and then back into the race village running up the final funnel . People I don’t know shouting my name helped me so much as I really could have stopped at that point. Stanley cheered me on and I knew I was nearly there. Stop the Garmin. Pick up water, medal, banana and goody bag. Stretch. It was hot and that New Forest water didn’t last long.
My official time was 1:14:43 compared io the Bristol 10k time of 1:14:20, which given the terrain and the stop for ponies I’m very happy with. But Mr Garmin measured my route as 10.24 km and my 10k time was 1:12:57 a PB for 10k.
It was great. It was brilliantly organised, and well marshalled . Local Air Cadets, Army Cadets, Police Cadets, Scouts and Brownies were tasked with different jobs around the course and they did so well. There was a festival atmosphere with local musicians on stage and lots of food on sale to eat at the picnic benches, not to mention the bar.
An added bonus was meeting up with Granspeed and her husband as they waited for their daughter to complete her marathon. She is lucky enough to live close enough to run in the forest regularly.
Thanks to SlowLoris for posting about this event which prompted us to enter just before entries closed. Sorry we didn’t catch up with you. I looked out for the knees!
I’m getting race (or is it medal) envy. In any case well done to you both!!
Completed 10k ‘Race’
10k #5 and ran in time with LM Runners!
Day 3 of 10k plan 
Flitwick 10k - My first 10k event
