King's Head Canter Race Report 🌞

[pianoteacher]

Yesterday in sweltering conditions pianojunior and I ran the King's Head Canter for the second time. It's a 5k point to point race between the villages of Chiddingly and East Hoathly in East Sussex. The race has a very late start time of 11am as the reward for finishing is a drink at the pub at the finish line rather than a medal! 🍺

Having looked at the forecast I was prepared for it to be hot but OMG I don't think I've ever run in heat like that let alone raced! I did a very short warm up (in hindsight too short) then positioned myself towards the back of the 200 strong field. Again in hindsight too far back for a race which isn't chip timed - took me 23 secs to get to the start line! 😕

The first km is downhill and I was going pretty well then we started the climb. It's not steep but it goes on for about a mile and a half and I knew that if I didn't slow down I may not make it round. Although there was some shade the heat was relentless but I made it to the top albeit slowly.

Last year I walked three times in the last 1500m and I was determined to run it all this year. The last km is downhill and it was a real relief to get there. Again looking back I should have pushed from further out as I had enough in my legs to run the last 400m relatively fast - I think the photo shows that I'm working quite hard for it though 😂

I crossed the line and went the other side of the barrier to see if I could see my son and his Dad who had both finished before me. I think I must have gone a funny colour because another runner asked me if I was OK. My legs felt like they were going to go from under me but I managed to grab the barrier and pull myself together!

Despite running it all I was only 20 secs faster than last year which I have to say is disappointing ☹️ Yes the conditions were tough but both my son and his Dad ran 5 and a half minutes faster than last year and unbelievably the men's course record was broken in a time of 14:58 😲

On a more positive note there is an age graded team competition for entrants from the villages. Our team consisted of me, pianojunior, his Dad and his stepmum and we managed to come 2nd 😁

I'm not sure I enjoy 5k as a distance but the Canter will always be a special race for me as after many years of spectating it was the first race I ever entered.

Happy Running Everyone 🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[Hidden]

Brilliant report. I think you should be very pleased with that, doubly so under those conditions. Men are proportionally faster as well.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick! That's very true about the male/female thing - a 44 year old man would need to run 3 mins faster than I did to get the same age grade score.

I think I progressed so quickly pace wise when I started running that I feel I should be better than I am! Need to remind myself that I've had lots of improvements in other areas - my overall endurance is better and I can run up hills now 😁

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Well run! And look how fit you are! Running in that heat must have been so very tough, pffft! You are a woman of steel! 💪 Well done to your hub and son too - how fantastic that you all run! Sadie x

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you Sadie xx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Wow, good for you all PT. I think we’re all ready for autumn running now. Enough of this 🥵☀️🍅

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheeky! One of the things going through my head on the way round was "thank god my marathon's in October" 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Oh crikey yes. When doing my 10k race on Sunday (🥵🥵🥵), I thought the same about the GSR which isn’t until October either. I was so hot I’d have had trouble going a step further even for a million pounds (well ....... 🤔 😅)

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂🤣

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

A fantastic day all in! One for all the family too! Well done to all of you 👍🏻😁

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you Jojo! 😁

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Well done to all of you! Sounds like that was a hard earned drink at the end!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thank you! Didn't even claim my free drink Decker - too busy necking water and trying not to faint 🤣

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Oof I would’ve snagged that drink first thing!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Wow! You ran even though you knew it would be so hot! Well done you! Running is a real learning journey isn't it? 😊🍾🥂🎉👏🏻 Congratulations!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you! I hate running in the heat - give me rain and a howling gale any day - although maybe not for my marathon 🤣😂

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

You should all get a prize for running in that heat, well done to you and Junior, good photo of both of you, in the photo you look like like you are working quite hard, which indeed you were, once again, congratulations.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Alan xx

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Wow Marie you’re an inspiration! Why ever did you start further back?! You’re so fast! Well done - I see Daniel is completely overtaking you now 🤣

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

For a race which is basically just a run to a village pub the Canter attracts a stupidly fast field - first 33 finishers all under 19 mins yesterday including the first 3 ladies 😲

I pretty much always start right at the back but it's a habit I need to get out of because I think our club championship races use gun times rather than chip times. I'm not going to win anything but I'd quite like a fair reflection of what I can do xx

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Great report - well done to you all! 👍Also, brilliant race photos - I always look rubbish in mine; you look really strong!💪

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra that's very kind of you. I think I look terrible in that photo but I'm trying hard so I don't mind posting it 😁

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

It was sooooooo hot. Hugely impressive

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Thanks Claire! It was horrible but I got round. Very grateful it was only 5k! x

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Even 5k! In a race! Your photo is amazing. Strong, proud and determined x

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

❤️❤️

[Ang33333]

I can't make myself run in this heat! Well done!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Ang33333]

Thanks Ang! I don't blame you - there's no way I would have done a training run but as I'd already entered I thought I'd better have a go 😄

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Well done! Nice report. 😊

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Thank you xx

[Tbae Metric Marathon]

Fantastic read.💥💥💥👏👏

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Tbae]

Thanks 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Wow great work!!!

I'm with you re. the 5k distance!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi! I'd rather run 10k any day - although maybe not in that sort of heat 🔥🔥

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Great report👍 Well done all of you for finishing in that heat!🥵👏👏👏

I don’t think you can compare it with other runs given the conditions, so just be grateful you all got round safely🙂

Overall I think you did fantastically well, there’s always next year - with any luck it’ll be a bit cooler!🤞

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Thank you David! It was much cooler last year - I had to put a jumper on whilst we waited for the prize giving. Everyone was saying it was the hottest one ever so fingers crossed for better conditions next year 🤞

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

What a great photo, you look so determined and athletic! And then pianojunior looking super casual, like he's just out for a slow jog round the park..!

I love that you fielded a whole pianoteam too! 😄

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

Thanks Sqkr! The days of running parkrun together are long gone - he finds me annoyingly slow. Did manage to beat him on the age grade this time out though 🥇🏃‍♀️🏃🤣

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

I thought I’d replied to this pianoteacher, it must have gone down that black hole . A huge well done for racing in that heat. You and junior (not so young as I thought) did absolutely brilliantly. A shame you didn't fancy the beer, maybe you can claim it later. 😂

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy! Funny you should mention it - Daniel's Dad and stepmum were going back in the evening to claim there's 😁

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to pianoteacher]

🍻 I’m sure it will be good for a week

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done Marie. The August bank holiday weather and the later start make for a hot old time. This was my first organised event too in 2017. I wanted to come back but it has coincided with family holidays since.

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks Dave! Hopefully see you there again one day - it's a great event 😄