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.
Edinburgh Report
Run Gatwick HM - Race Report
Bournemouth HM - Race Report
Virtual Cambridge HM race report