Stormy weather was in the forecast for last Sunday. That blew any hopes I had for a 10k PB out of the window before I had even started. The direction meant a head wind for the last two miles so my expectations were low. Defiantly I decided to wear shorts.
So off we went. About 200m in the road was blocked by fallen trees. Fortunately us runners had room to get by. Off down a hill with trees creaking and crashing about in the wind. I swear I heard some heavy duty splintering (don't look, just keep running). Up the other side - short but steep. Overtook several who'd gone off too fast. Pack thinning out. I got someone in my sights as my next overtaking victim, his orange t-shirt flapping like a sail.
A few miles of fairly uneventful running, dodging puddles and tree debris and gradually overhauling other runners. Down the second hill and up the other side - I knew this one from cycling. Bizarrely it seemed shorter and less steep than I remembered. More overtaking.
Turn right at the top towards the finish - oh my God. Wind. Wind. More wind. Those last two miles were a slog, head down and battle on. Past Crazy Legs Crane (legs flailing, surely that wastes lots of energy). Several people run/walking. More overtaking. Round the final corner and across the finish line. Oh, was that it? I forgot to sprint at the end (nothing to do with my heavy legs).
Amazing - 10k PB - 53:25! Chip time 53:13. Wow. I am still in a state of disbelief two days later. Now I am wondering, what could I do on a flat course with no wind...?
Enormous thanks to all the volunteers who make these events possible. £21k was raised overall for the hospice. Hats off (maybe literally given the wind) to the HM runners who coped with the weather for twice as long.
HU 10k Race Report
Virtual 10K race report
