This was a last minute thing prompted by the coach; "I've just had a brilliant idea!" She WhatsApp-ed. "Let's go for a 10k PB before the new year". So we did.
It was a smidge cold, but not the zero degrees that was forecast, so not terrible. Bright and sunny though, with little breeze. Excellent conditions then.
Smallish field, just shy of 300 runners, with the fast guys looking very lean and fit. Looking at last years results the fast guys are fast, around the 32-33 minute mark, but there were plenty of finishers in the mere mortal range I was aiming for, so I wasn't overly intimidated by the huge number of racing snakes I found myself surrounded by.
Mostly the route is on-road and the traffic coped with us very well. Out and back then past the start for about half a mile to loop back again to the finish. And, well, there's a hill. Not a very big hill, but it's bloody steep! Down it on the way out, it's at mile 4 on the way back. Really pushed hard up that, to the point I started to think I'd overdone it as I struggled to recover while keeping an eye on the pace (we're going for a PB after all, remember?). I knew the pace that would bring me home on target, and I'd got a plan for pacing. The coach, bless her (who's usually a stickler for pacing), said "Ease into it for the first mile: 9:10-9:15, then just go for it!"
Mile one was about right, a little quicker than planned, but comfortable. Mile two was too quick, but I managed to back off a wee bit and mile three came in just about right. Mile four was slow, that hill robbing me of 30 seconds or so. Mile five I've managed to recover from the hill and we're back on the pace. Mile six and I'm feeling really good, working hard, but moving well, breathing nicely, strength left for the last push. I'm pacing myself about two strides behind the guy in front, we're doing about 08:45/mile and I'm holding back. Wait for the turn, wait for the turn, it's too early. I see the turn (a cone in the middle of the road) from about 300 yards away and I'm off. Easing past my unknowing pacer, round the cone and stretching away as I head back towards the finish. Push push push, I can see the finish. Form's gone, breathing like a steam train, legs screaming at me to stop. Damn near collapsed over the line. Managed to compose myself sufficiently to accept the bling and grab a water. Then found the nearest bench for a sit down and attempt to stave off the heart attack and/or stroke.
I covered the last half mile at just a bit quicker than an 08:30 pace.
My previous PB was 57:03. I was aiming for 56:00. Chip time 55:28. That'll do.
Great race, really enjoyed that one.
ASICS 10k London
Monsal Trail 10k
HU Spring 10K challenge
Beckley 10k - tough but pretty
Training for Brighton 10k
