Yesterday was my third 10k run of the year. It has been a learning curve each time and after the blazing heat of the last one, I was happy that I would be running in a more temperate climate.
Unlike my last run though, my training had been interrupted with 3 weeks on the IC with heel pain. So although I knew I could do the distance, I also wasn't expecting a great time.
The run itself is new - this being its second year - and relatively small (248 entrants last year). It is set in the Rother district, which is in the heart of rural East Sussex. The challenge then is to get from Northiam to Bodium. For the spectators there is the option of either a steam train or river boat ride between the start and finish, to ensure you can cheer your runner at both send-off and in good time for their triumph.
A nice touch then, and which the finish line being in the grounds of the beautiful Bodium castle I felt this would be a great run.
However, what I didn't factor in was the amount of hills between the two. They were long and relentless. And when I wasn't fighting up a hill I was steaming uncontrollably down the other side. Overall this make for a reasonable time of under an hour for me, but there was never a chance at all to get any rhythm. Also being run on open roads - albeit country lanes where two cars constituted rush hour - we were not allowed to listen to music. Just my (and everyone else's) laboured breathing for a soundtrack then.
A hard race then, and a choice for me to either incorporate more hills into my training, or be more careful in my run selection in future and to read the small print, rather than getting seduced by the pretty castle.
For those who like to: relive.cc/view/1845002395
The hills are alive with the sound of Ju Ju 
Parbold Hill- The muddiest 6.75 mile trail race ever! With hills!!!
HU 10KM done and dusted, give and take a few hills!!
10k pace training - W2R3
Hillsborough Castle 10k Done
