I’d arranged to meet Cowladyrunning and MissUnderstanding by the start arch but I’d forgotten that the arch isn’t set up until shortly before the start and it’s a little way from the centre. Thankfully, we were able to obtain a good enough signal to send messages and met up near the race number tent so we had a nice chat before the start. I also met two of my colleagues, Mike and Simon.
I remembered from last year that, after an initial 2k on-road, the route turns right and heads downhill for about 1500m. Last year, I was held up on the descent because it was difficult passing other runners on the narrowish path so this year I deliberately upped my pace over the first 3k hitting an average of 5min/k (compared to my overall average of just over 6min/k). It worked nicely in that I didn’t get stuck behind anyone but it has the disadvantage that I had to accept that a lot of runners would be passing me. I suppose it was OK because I was expecting it but I think there’s still a psychological advantage in being able to overtake other runners.
The rest of the run was fairly uneventful. I stuck to my strategy of running at a comfortable pace and walking the steeper uphills. Compared to last year, the course was a lot muddier. However, even though I was in road shoes, I didn’t slip once. The only person I recognised on the route was Miss Understanding’s husband who was spectating. However, I did end up chatting to a few of the other runners on the way round. Something that I noticed is that, on these forest tracks, all the potholes had been repaired. They’re doing a much better job of that than on a lot of ordinary roads!
My chip time was 2:08:40, a bit slower than my 2:04:57 from last year. Maybe my strategy wasn’t such a good idea? Although the course being much muddier may have had something to do with it.
Written by
SkiMonday
Ultramarathon
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Great time! Was good to meet you. Yes good point about the pot holes.... also it took me 45 minutes just to get to Monmouth on the way home because of roadwork 3 way traffic lights that were really slow!
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New Forest 10k late report
Race Report - HUHM V5K
Fission 2023 race report.
